
()lass 



COPYRIGHT DFPOSIT 




TO STRANGERS VISITING 




lliiN^t:si, M4^f 1, tK ti^i4illi. 



' Tis pleasant, through the loop-holes of retreat, 
To peep at such a %vor Id. —CowvKR. 





J. H. ESTILL, 

MORNING NKW3 bTEAM PRINTING HOUSE, 

I - ^ 3 Whitaker St., Savanuah, Ga. 




' PRICE, FIFTY CENTS. 



J^ GUIDE 



TO STRANGERS VISITING 



SAVANNAH 



!> 



FOR 



BUSINESS, HEALTH, OR PLEASURE. 
V 



' Tis pleasant , through the loop- hoi ei> of retreat ^ \ 

To peep at such a world. — Cowper. 






SAVANXAH, GA.: 

J. H. ESTILL, 

MORNING NEWS STE^JH^PRINTING H0U8K, 
3 WHIIAKER STBBBX. 

iSsi. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year i83i, by 
J. H. ESTILL, ( r/ 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



PREFACE. 



This little book makes no pretension whatever to be a History of 
the City of Savannah, or of the Colonization of Georgia, but, only 
what its title-page expresses — "A Gzdde to Sh'a)2gers Visitinq; 
Savannah for Health, Pleasure or Business ^ Nor is it "A 
City Directory," but supplemental to it. ilence, we have om;tted 
historical and biographical narrations of no moment to visitors, how- 
ever interesting they may be to citizens of Savannah ; and local de • 
tails, that introduced would swell unnecessarily the size of the vol 
ume. For history and biographies, we refer the curious in such mat- 
ters to the Histories of McCall and Stevens, White's Historical Col 
lections of Georgia, to White's Statistics of Georgia, and to the His- 
torical Record of the City of Savannah, in which they will be found 
at length. For local details, the City Directory furnishes ample in- 
formation. 

Visitors in a city strange to them wish to see all that is worth see- 
ing in it, with such minute directions as will assist their attention to 
the objects of interest in, or connected with them. This information 
we propose to give in this manual. 

In the arrangement of the Guide, we have followed the j'oiite gen- 
erally taken by strangers, as we have observed it, in their unaided 
wanderings about and around >avannah to find something to look at, 
and we propose to leave them no longer unenlightened, and to make 
their stay pleasant by relieving the ennui of having no special sight- 
seeing to follow up. Savannah has objects worth inspection, and 
time spent in their examination will not be uselessly or disagreeably 
employed. 

Visitors should see the cotton presses and warehouses, rice mills, 
and nurseries of plants and flowers; and if they be philanthropists, 
or interested in politics, should attend a service of a church for the 
colored people, as a study of them, in religious congregation, offeis 



iv Preface. 

an excellent opportunity for judging of the degree of civilization, in- 
telligence, and Christian influence the race has attained under the 
training of its former proprietors, and since its emancipation from 
slavery. 

It would add much to the interest of Savannah, and to the pleas- 
ure of visitors, if the interior of our churches, and other notable 
buildings, could be seen at stated times, or always; and we respecL- 
fully suggest that arrangements he made to that end. Idleness is the 
parent of discontent and restlessness, and if we would make our city 
a popular winter resort, we must occupy as much, and as agreeably as 
we can, the time and attention of strangers coming to see us. We 
suggest a visit to a cotton press and rice mill as interesting to me- 
chanical intelligence, which will find some things to admire in the 
processes of both; and even a Lord Dundreary, looking at either, 
will see "someihing in it." 

September, i88/. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Prepack . 3 

Indkx to Guide Book • 7 

Introduction ^3 

Early Settlement of Savannah • i4 

Savannah in iSSo — Dull Street 22 

Savannah in iS3o — East of Bull Street 36 

Savannah in iSTo — West of Bull Street 42 

Savannah in 1S80 — Sulnirban Attractions 49 

Miscellaneous — Business, Charities, Churches, Statistics of Com- 
merce 63 

Conclusion 75 



INDEX TO GUIDE BOOK. 



PAGE. 

Abercorn Street 39 , 

Academy, Chatham 25 

African First Bapt.st Church (Colored) 46 

Armory Hall, Armories, Volunteer, generally, and Chatham 

Artillery 22 

Asylum, Female Orphan 29 

Asylums generally 65 

Babies, The 3^ 

Banks generally 63 

Bank of State of Georgia 20 

Bank, Central Railroad 63 

Bank, Merchants National 3^ 

Bank, Southern, of the State of Georgia 3^ 

Bank, Savannah and Trust Company 63 

Baptist Church, vSavannah 26 

Barracks, Oglethorpe, U. S 27 

Barracks, Police, City 39 

Ba tery Park 49 

Bay Street 3^ 

Beaulieu 5° 

Bethel, Seaman's 4^ 

B-'thesda and Union Society 5^ 

Board of Health 68 

Board of Underwriters 63 

Board, Sanitary 68 

Broughton Street 22 

Bryan Baptist Church (Colored) A7 

Bull Street 22 

Bonaventure 53 

Canal, Ogeechee 74 



viii Index to Guide Book. 

Cathedral of Our I.ady of Perpetual Help 40 

Cemetery, Cathedral 63 

Cemetery, Evergreen 53 

Cemetery, Hebrew 63 

Cemetery, Laurel Grove 56 

Cemetery, Old 39 

Central Railroad Depot 47 

Charitable Asylums 65 

Chatham Academy 25 

Chippewa Square , 26 

Christ Church 21 

Christian Association, Y. M. C. A 63 

Churches, generally 63 

Church, Baptist, Bryan Street, (Colored) 47 

Church, First African Baptist 46 

Church, First Presbyterian 32 

Church, New Street Methodist, (Colored) 48 

Church, Lutheran, (Evangelical) 23 

Church, St. John's Episcopal ^ 29 

Church, St. Joseph's (Colored) 42 

Church, St. Stephen's 41 

Church, Trinity, Methodist 45 

Chu'.ch, Wesley Monumental 41 

City of Savannah 19 

City Dispensary 43 

Clubs, generally 69 

Club, German Harmonic 30 

Commerce, Statistics of 72 

Confederate Monument 34 

Congress Street 22 

Conclusion 75 

Consulates 67 

Cotton Exchange 66 

Cotton Press Association . ■. 66 

Convent of St. Vincent de Paul 39 

Court House 24 

Cries, The, of Savannah 49 

Custom House 37 



Index to Guide Book. ix 

Depots, Railroad 70 

Drainage Commission 68 

Early Settlement of Savannah 14 

Educational 68 

Episcopal, Irinity, Methodist, Church 45 

Exchange 37 

Express Company, Southern 7^ 

Female Orphan Asylum 29 

First African Baptist Church (Colored) 46 

First Presljyterian Church 3^ 

Fire Department 72 

Forsyth Park 33 

Fort Jackson 60 

Fort Pulaski 60 

Gaston Street 35 

Georgia Historical Society 35 

German Harmonic Cub 3° 

Greene Monument 2.) 

Hospital, Marine Service 4^ 

Hospital, Savannah 35 

Hospital, St. Joseph's • * 41 

Hospital, Negro 65 

Hotels 19 

Incorporated Companies -69 

Iiulependeut Presbyterian Church 24 

Infirmary, St. Joseph's 41 

Infirmary, Colored 65 

Internal Revenue Office 37 

Introduction ^3 

Isle of Hope 55 

Jasper Monument 27 

Jasper Spring 55 

Jones Street 3^ 

Lauiel Grove Cemetery 5^ 

Liberty Street 27 

Libraries, generally 69 

Lodges, Masonic 42 

Lodges, Odd Fellows' 66 



X Index to Guide Book. 

Lutheran Church 23 

Madison Square 27 

Marine Hospital Service 41 

Mariner's Church 46 

Masonic Temple and Lodges 42 

Market House 45 

Medical Society 66 

Merchant's National Bank 38 

Metropolitan Hall 43 

Mikva Israel 32 

Miscellaneous .... 63 

Monastery Benedictine, (Colored) 65 

Mission, Benedictine 66 

Monument, Confederate 34 

Monument, Jasper 27 

Monument, Pulaski 30 

Morning News Printing House 43 

Montgomery 57 

Newspapers 67 

New Street Methodist Church (Colored) 48 

Ogeechee Canal 74 

Oglethorpe Barracks 27 

Orphan Asylum, Female 29 

Old Cemetery 39 

Perpetual Help, Cathedral of Our Lady of 40 

Police Barracks 39 

Police 67 

Port Society 46 

Post Office 38 

Penfield Mariner's Church 46 

Presbyterian Church, First 32 

Presbyterian Church, Lidependent 24 

Presl:)yterian Church Sunday School 26 

Pulaski Monument 30 

Race Tracks 70 

Railroads and Depots 70 

Rates of Po- terage 70 

Revenue, Internal, Office 37 



Index to Guide Book. xi 

Reynolds Square 39 

Regatta Association 57 

Rice Mills ^ 7« 

Rice Mills, Planters' Association 69 

Rifle Club 69 

Savannah Hospital ... 35 

Sanitary Commission 6S 

Savannah 19 

Savannah, Florida and Western Railway 75 

Schuetzen Park 57 

Schools 68 

Signal Office, U. S 3S 

Society, Georgia Historical 35 

Society, Union 5^ 

Southern Bank of Georgia ....'.* * 3^ 

South Broad Street 24 

Steamship Lines 7^ 

St. John's Church (Episcopal) 29 

St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic) 42 

St. Joseph's Infirmary 41 

St. Stephen's Church, Episcopal, (Colored) 41 

St. Vincent's Convent 39 

Statistics of Commerce 7^ 

Synagogue Mikva Israel 32 

Synagogues, generally 65 

Telegraph 72 

Telephone 72 

Temple, Masonic 42 

Theatre 26 

The Babies 36 

The Cries 49 

Thunderbolt 58 

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church 45 

Tybee Island 59 

Union Society and Bethesda 5^ 

United States Signal Office 38 

Waterworks 47 

Wesley Monumental Church 41 

Wright Square 22 



INTRODUCTION. 



Savannah. 
This beautiful city, the Commercial Metropolis of the State of 
Georgia, appropriately styled " The Forest City " — because of the 
number and stateliness of the magnificent shade-trees lining its streets 
and artistically ornamenting its charming squares or parks — is situated 
on the south bank of the Savannah river, twelve miles from the ocean 
by an air-line, and eighteen by its ship-channel, vi^hich winds grace- 
fully, in broad curves, between emerald banks of luxuriant sea-grass, 
backed by the deep shades of primeval forests in the distance, and by 
fertde rice-fields extending from the water's edge to the high lands 
beyond. 

Built upon an elevated bluff of forty feet, it overlooks the sur- 
rounding landscape on its east, north and west faces, extending south- 
ward upon a noble plain of pines, which have given way, here and 
there, to fertile fields or highly cultivated vegetable and fruit gardens. 
Its northern boundary, or river front, is lined for two miles — from the 
Savannah, Florida an i Western Railwrfy wharves, below the city, to 
those of the Central Railroad above it — with saw- mills, ship-yards, 
cotton-presses, warehouses, cotton-sheds (for the protection against 
the weather of freights discharging or loading), merchants' offices, 
with their singularly balconied windows, and tiers of vessels of eveiy 
description and civilized nation that find their commerce in her vari- 
ous enterprises. 

Grasping with iron arms the vast territory between the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, and around the capes of 
Florida to her own harbor again, the city of Savannah enjoys, by her 
far-reaching and direct railway connections with the great cities of the 
West, a large share of the contributions of agriculture and industry 
of that productive region that seek shipment for Europe or a market, 
and in consequence she has become the second cotton port of the 



14 Guide to Savannah. 

United States, and the most important seaport between the capes of 
the Chesapeake and New Orleans. 

Early Settlement of Savannah. 

The colonization of Georgia differed in its inception, and in the 
character of the first settlers, from that of the other original States. 
In the year 1720, the Carolina charter was surrendered to the Crown, 
and the colony became a Royal Province. The territory south and 
southwest, between the Savannah river and Florida, was a wilderness 
occupied by savage tribes, and claimed alike by England and by 
Spain. To secure it for England, General James Oglethorpe, a dis- 
tinguished soldier, a member of Parliament, and a philanthropist, ob- 
tained, in Connection with others, from King George II., A. D, 1732, 
"A grant for twenty-one years, in trust for the poor," of the country 
between the Savannah and the Altamaha rivers, and westward to the 
Pacific Ocean. The idea of Oglethorpe and his associates was to oc- 
cupy the disputed territory by providing in it an asylum for the poor 
of England, and the Protestants of all nations, where former poverty 
wou d be no reproach, and where all might worship God without fear 
of persecution. None, however, but those who would take the oath 
agamst the doctrine of transubstanliation could become colonists. 
Catholics, consequently, were excluded, and were not adm tted into 
Georgia until it became a Royal Province, A. D. 1752. His grant 
secured, Oglethorpe, ^v.th■the characteristic energy of his profession, 
made arrangements to take possession ot his lands promptly, and 
sailed from Gravesend, on the 17th of November, 1732, with about 
one hundred and twenty colonists, in t .e ship "Anne," of two hun- 
dred tons burden, John Thomas, Master, for Charleston, in Carolina. 
Arriving off its bar on the 13th of January, 1733, the "Anne" was 
ordered to Port Royal, in Carolina, for the purpose of transferring 
the colonists and their goods into .smaller vessels. The military gar- 
rison, and the citizens of the town of Beaufort, sixteen miles above 
Port Royal harbor, received and entertained the new comers with 
generous hospitality. Meanwhile, Oglethorpe proceeded to the Sa- 
vannah river to select a suitable situation for a town. Deciiling upon 
the site of the present city, and having made a treaty with Tomo- 
chichi, the Mico or chief of the Indian nation occupying the country, 
he returned to Beaufort on the 24th of January, and on the 30th of 



Guide to Savannah. 15 

the same month, he embarked his people for their new home, which 
was reached on the 1st of Febiuary, 1733. Before night, tents were 
pitched, bedding and necessary stores landed, and the party camped 
on shore. This was the first occupation of Georgia, and the birth of 
the lovely Forest City. 

On the 9th of February, Oglethorpe, assisted by Colonel William 
Bull, an engineer officer, who had been sent over from Charleston, by 
the Governor of Carolina, for the purpose, marked out the squares, the 
streets, and forty lots for houses; and on that day also, the first dwell- 
ing was begun, and the settlement named " Savannah," for the river 
on which it was founded. At peace Avith the Indians, and encour- 
aged by Carolina, the settlement prospered, and Oglethorpe was en- 
abled to report to the King's Ministers at home a satisfactory account 
of his success. The ship "James," Yoakley, Mister, came in soon 
after, from London, with an assorted cargo, and is recorded as the 
first ship which arrived at Savannah. 

In July of the same year, the colony was increased by the arrival 
of one hundred and fifty additional settlers, who cime out at their 
own expense. The four wards — Heathcote, Percival, Derby ar.d 
Decker — were laid off, and each subdivided into four tythings, and 
the five streets intersecting them (at right angles) were named, in 
honor of five Carolinians, who had particularly aided the colony, 
Bull, Whitaker, Drayton, St. Julian and Bryan. In the same year, 
1733, the first Court of Record was instituted, its officers being three 
bailiffs, or magistrates, a recorder, acting also as clerk, and twelve 
freeholders as grand jurors, and the civil administration of the colo*ny 
began its existence. Soon after the establishment of these provisions 
for the good order and protection of the town, its population was 
further increased by the arrival of a number of Israelites from Lon- 
don, who came also a': their own expense, and who, notwithstanding 
the opposition of some of the trustees to their settling in Georgia, 
were well received by Oglethorpe and the colonists, and cared for 
comfortably. They, however, did not remain long, because of the 
civil disabilities imposed by the charter of the colony, and removed 
to the province of Carolina, with the exception of the three families 
of Minis, DeLyon and Sheftall, who determined to remain and cast 
their lots with Savannah, and whose descendants, in their successive 
generations, have been useful and prominent in their allegiance to her. 



i6 Guide to Savannah. 

On the 1 2th of March, 1734, tlie ship Purysburgh arrived with 
seventy-eight Saltzburgers, expelled from their own country on ac- 
count of tlieir religion, and Avho sought new homes and freedom in 
their worship of God. This compulsory emigration of German Pro- 
testants is one of the most stirring incidents of the civil and religious 
history of Germany, and was defended at the time as the only means 
of preventing a destructive civil war. Europe was exci'ed by the 
persecution ; /^Sj,ooo were raised in London for the relief of the 
Saltzburgers, and Oglethorpe and his people welcomed generously 
this small band of Protestants, who sought their protection and their 
freedom of conscience. A settlement twenty miles west of Savan- 
nah was assigned to them, which they named " Ebenezer." 

Having established his colony upon a good foundation, and in 
friendship with iheir Indian neighbors, Oglethorpe returned to Eng- 
land in 1734, accompanied by his friend and ally, Tomochichi, whom 
for diplomatic I'easons he desired to present to His Majesty and his 
ministers. The Indian Chief and his suite had no cause to be dissat- 
isfied with their reception and treatment in England. Objects of cu- 
riosity, as well as of philanthropy, they were caressed by royalty, the 
nobility and the people, and fitting allowances were made for their 
support and entertainment. 

His business in England accomplished, Oglethorpe reembarked at 
Gravesend for Georgia, November, 1735, with three hundred addi- 
tional settlers, in two ships, including in their number two remarkable 
men, brothers, whose subsequent careers have influenced the theolo- 
gies of England and of America in a wonderful manner. These men 
wei'e John and Charles Wesley, who, with Hervey, Whitefield and 
others, instituted at Oxford University, the Society of Methodists, or 
the " Godly Club," as they were satirically styled by their deriders, 
and which " Club " subsequently developed into the populous and 
powerful religious bodies known in England as " Wesleyans " and in 
America as " Methodists " 

During Oglethorpe's absence in England, trouble broke out in Sa- 
vannah, and discord set the magistrates by the ears, seriously injuring 
the prosperity of the colony. One of the bailiffs, named Causton, had 
usurped supreme authority, and in the exercise of a tyrannical will 
had carried niatters with a high hand. Charges were prefen^ed against 
him to the trustees in England, who removed him and sent over 



Guide to Savannah. 17 

William Gordon to assume the power and duties of Chief Magis- 
trate. Caustou refused to recognize the authority of Gordon, and 
being a man of stronger character, and moreover in possession of the 
public purse and stores, he starved out Gordon, who returned to Eng- 
lanfl Miih his family six weeks after coming out, leaving one Darn as 
the successor of his empty honors. But Darn died a few days after 
his appointment, and Causton remained victor and master of the situ- 
ation, and continued to rule the colony in his arbitrary manner. 

The return of Oglethorpe (February, 1736) partially restored 
peace, but the seeds of discontent had been sown. Every man was 
his own lawyer, and lawyers were not allowed to take fees for plead- 
ing. In cases of orphans and others unable to defend themselves, 
" persons of the best substance in the town were appointed by the 
trustees to take care of and defend such cases without fee or reward." 
What a defiance of the dark-robed professors of the protection of 
human reason ! 

On the 7th of March, 1736, John Wesley preached his first sermon 
in America upon the text of the XTIIth chapter of Saint Paul's first 
epistle to the Corinthians — " Christian Charity." 

The mission of the Wesleys proved, however, unfortunate and 
brief. Their religious zeal outran discretion, and they were soon 
embroiled in conflicts with the authorities and the people, whom they 
did not understand. There were faults on both sides. In the sum- 
mer of 1736, Charles was sent back to England with dispatches by 
Oglethorpe, who followed him soon after, and by eight o'clock of the 
evening of the 2d of December, 1737, John Wesley " Shook off," as 
he said, " the dust of my feet, and left Georgia, after having preached 
the gospel there (not as I might, but as I was able) one year and 
nearly nine months." Embarking from Charleston about the 15th of 
December for England, John Wesley arrived, in the Downs, in Feb- 
ruar}% 1738, passing his friend and brother Methodist of Oxford, 
Whitefield, outward bound for Georgia, neither knowing the other's 
proximity. 

Whitefield arrived in Savannah, May 7, 1738, and having more 
tact and worldly wisdom than the Wesleys, and, from his parentage 
and early associations, better fitted to cope with the rude class of 
minds of which the colony was chiefly composed, he succeeded where 
they had failed, and laid in Savannah the foundat on of his subse- 



i8 Guide to Savannah. 

quent American reputation as an earnest pastor, teacher and eloquent 
pii.lpU orator. 

The plan of Savannah, laid as it is in rectangles, with streets and 
rutennediate lanes, cutting each other at right angles, and witli small 
parks at the alternate intersections of the streets, is much admired, 
and sti-ungei-s ask whence Oglethorpe obtained these ideas ? The de- 
sign is of war-like intentions, and found its origin in the military 
training of Oglethorpe — the square within his wards and ty things 
being the general rendezvous of the colonists living around it in case 
of hostile attack by Indians or Spaniards. Once begun, the system 
was adhered to for its regularity, beauty, comfort, health and plea- 
sni-e. 

In October, 173S, Tomochichi, the firm friend of the colony, died, 
and at his own request was buried among his friends, the white men, 
with the pomp and circumstance due to his high rank and staunch 
friendship, and within the compass of the colonists. General Ogle- 
thorpe and Colonel Stephens assisted as pall-bearers ; the body was 
lowered into its grave in what is now known as Wright Square, and 
minute guns from the battery accompanied the mournful ceremonies. 

In 1743-4, General Oglethorpe left Georgia for the third time, and 
finally, for England. The town of Savannah had then increased to 
three luindred and fifty houses, exclusive of public buildings. The 
government of Oglethorpe had been military, but after his departure, 
it devolved upon the trustees in England and the local authorities in 
America, The colony, never very strong, languished under the chim- 
erical views and injudicious management of the trustees, and the 
general characteristics of the settlers. Agriculture did not flourish, 
commerce was not thought of, the silk culture had failed, colonists 
were deserting to Carolina and the other American possessions, or re- 
turning home, and at last, on the 8th of June, 1752, the trustees, in 
despair, " resolved, on account of their utter inability to support the 
colony, to make absolute surrender of the charter." The resolution 
was carried into effect, and Georgia became a Royal Province. 

Under the more liberal and wise protection and patronage of the 
Crown, Savannah revived, and, taking a new start in life, became in 
time the prospering foster-mother of the State of Georgia, 

■Passing over the intervening period of one hundred and twenty- 
eight years, with its paralyses of two foreign wars, and devastations 



Guide to Savannah. ig 

by fire and civil war, incidents of which will be noticed in their 
proper connections, we come to the Savannah of the present time. 



THE CITY OF SAVANNAH. 

To the voyager approaching Savannah from the sea, the city pre- 
sents a peculiar view. The buildnigs rise from River street, buttress- 
ing, as it were, the city crowning the bluff; the long litie of cottoa- 
sheds, broken at intervals in its connection by intersecting streets ; the 
tiers one and two, sometimes three, deep of vessels taking in or dis- 
charging cargo, their flags, of all commercial nations, streaming out 
gaudily in brilliant colors; the number of drays groaning under loads 
of cotton and merchandise; the motley crowd of races and complex- 
ions from " snowy white to sooty; " the din of business activity, and 
the importunate invitations, in stentorian tones, of the inevitable hotel 
runners and baggage-masters, to their respective establishments, as 
the vessel nears the wharf, form a scene of busy life that is interest- 
ing, amusing and b^^wildering. Add to it the genial, semi-tropical 
climate, with its verdure smiling a pleasant welcome, and the stranger 
experiences a quiet consciousness of enjoyment that dispels languish- 
ing thoughts of home and of the dear ones left behind. Captured by 
a conquering Jehu, who guides him through a labyrinth of cotton 
bales, boxes, crates and freight generally, our voyager is safely de- 
posited, with his bags, shawls, stick and umbrella, in a clean omnibus 
or hack. Jehu mounts the box, and, slowly winding through the 
maze of carriages, cartS' arid drays, the ascent to the upper regions of 
the town is begun. It is by a paved roadway, and not difficult, and 
in a few moments, the broad and beautiful Bay street is reached, wit j 
its long vista of commercial houses and offices, its double rows ot 
shade trees, its crowd of vehicles of every description, and bustling 
sidewalks, indicative of commercial enterprise, energy and activity. 

Should the traveler approach by rail, the same signs of active trade 
and busmoss greet his arrival ; and as he rolls into the depot through 
acres of cotton bales sent down for shipment, he is apt to ask hin^^-lt 
the question, " Wiiere can so much cotton come from, and where is i: 
going ? " 

The Hotels. 

Savannah reached, the first call is for an hotel, of which there are 
a number — the Pulaski, the Screven, the Marshall, the Pavilion, the 



20 Guide to Savannah, 

Harnett, being the principal ones. They are quiet, clean, comfort- 
able inn-, where tlie traveler will be welcomed civilly and well 
treated. To quiet " homebodies," they are preferable to the average 
noisy modern hotel. In addition to the hotels, there are many com- 
fortable, well-kept boarding houses for all classes. 

Rested and refreshed, the traveler, unless he comes on urgent busi- 
ness, turns out to " see the town." The stranger, if' he stops at the 
Pulaski or the Screven, looks upon the lovely green sward of John- 
son Square, and its clean flagged walks. A well-proportioned obelisk 
in the center of the square attracts his attention, and curiosity prompts 
investigation, but to little purpose, as there is neither inscription no i 
symbol to indicate its design — an omission as disappointing as dis- 
creditable. This is 

The Greene Monument. 

In March, 1825, General Lafayette visited Savannah, and on the 

2 1 St of that month, laid the corner-stones of this monument, and of 
one to Pulaski, in Chippewa Square, tributes of gratitude to the dis- 
tinguished (General Nathaniel Greene, and to Count Casimir Pulaski, 
companion-in-arms of Lafayette in the memorable Revolutionary 
War, that relieved the colonies from the tyranny of George III. and 
made them free, sovereign and independenl States. The monument 
to Greene, in Johnson Square, was finished in 1829, and there not 
being in hand funds sufficient to erect the monument to Pulaski, this 
mysterious stone was known for many years as " the Greene and Pu- 
laski Monument," in commemoration of Lafayette's visit and act, as 
well as in memory of the heroic dead, whose military careers and 
reputations are intimately associated with the history of Savannah, 
At some future time, no doubt, the hidden meaning of this solitary 
memorial will be tastefully declared upon its disk. The obelisk, as it 
is, affords the ground for artistic ornamentation that will do honor to 
its projectors and their posterity. 

The Bank of the State of Georgia. 

Looking towards the east of Johnson Square, the stranger sees two 
prominent buildings. The one to the north, between Bryan and St. 
Julian streets, of pressed bricks, with white sills and caps, and having 
a garden behind it, looks somewhat like a handsome private residenc.-. 
and might be mistaken for one but for a certain business air that hangs 



Guide to Savannah. 21 

about its wide, self-closing door, and for the frequent visitors who 
enter and leave without the formality of a knocker or bell. This was 
the " Bank of the State of Georgia " that, with' its capital of $1,500,- 
000, occupied for many years the lead in the financial circles of Sa- 
vannah. It collapsed, however, with the Confederacy, in 1865, the 
stockliolders losing every cent they held in it. The Ivilding and 
grounds were sold, and are now tne property of a private banking 
house. 

Christ Church. 

The other building, south of the bank, between St. Julian and Con- 
gress streets, is Christ Church, the mother parish of the Episcopal 
Communion in the Diocese of Cxeorgia. It presents a singular archi- 
tectural appearance, partly Ionic, rather financial than ecclesia-tic, 
and ol solid and not altogether unir.iposing structure. The first 
Christ Church edifice was begun on the nth of June, 1743, and in 
six years was roofed and shingled. It was not completed until 1750, 
and on the 7th of July of that year was dedicated to the worship of 
God. In 1796, it was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt on an en- 
larged plan in 1803 ; injured by a hurricane in 1804; rebuilt in 1810, 
a-nd co.;:secrated by Bishop Dehon, of South Carolma, in 181 5 ; taken 
down to give place to a new structure, in 1838, corner-stone laid Feb- 
ruary 2L.th of that year. The drawings for this new building were 
furni hed by Mr, James Plamilton Cowper, of St. Simon's Island, 
which were altered by the wardens and vestry to include a Sunday- 
school room in the basement, for which a bequest had been left by the 
will of a pious lady of the parish. This addition destroyed the har- 
mony of Mr. Cowper's plan, and gave to the church its present in- 
congruous composition. However open to criticism the exterior may 
be, its interior is not less faulty, being, nevertheless, a comfortably- 
galleried and upholstered hall, to which strangers are always wel- 
comed, as is the general Christian hospitality common to all churches 
in Savannah. The chancel railing, ledums, table and stalls are 
neatly carved. Over the table is a painted window to the memory of 
Bishop Elliott, given by the Sunday-school children', representing 
Christ blessing the children. On this site of Christ Church stood the 
chapel in which John Wesley, " The Father of Methodism," minis- 
tered as chaplain to the first colonists, succeeding the Revs. Heroert 



22 Guide to Savannah. 

and Quincy, but no parish was organized until 1740-43, as already 
stated. 

Bull Street. 
Attracted by the passing throng on Congress street, the stranger 
strolls in that direction, and, following the main stream, finds himself 
in l)ull street, the fashionable promenade df Savannah, The name 
is not euphonious, but it commemorates the services of Colonel Wil- 
liam Bull, who assisted General Oglethorpe in laying off the town in 
^733- ^<^^y York has its Broadway and Fifth Avenue, Philadelphia 
it' Chestnut street, and Washington City its Pennsylvania Avenue, 
each possessing attractions peculiarly its own, and likewise has Bull 
street its particular charms. Great shade trees — magnolias, oaks, ca- 
talpas — line the curbs of the broad, well-paved sidewalks, and their 
continuations through the lovely squares it crosses, while handsome 
dwellings and imposing public buddings on both sides invite atten- 
tion. On pleasant afternoons. Bull street presents an animated scene 
of beauty, grace and fashion. Sauntering with the crowd, the stranger 
glances at the alluring shops of Broughton street, with their maze of 
busy traffickers, and in a few moments reaches 

Wright Square, 

in which repose the remains of Tomochichi, the friend of Oglethorpe 
and the protector of the early settlers. The precise 1 cation of To- 
mochichi's grave is not known, but the beautiful mound of luxuriant 
ivy in the center of the square, capped by a Grecian vase, bearing a 
flourishing aloe — Agave Amo'icana — serves, for the present, as his 
monument, until it shall be replaced by one more enduring, of bronze 
or marble. 

Armory Hall and Chatham Artillery. 

To the right (westward) of Wright Square, between State and 
President streets, is the battlemented "Armory Hall," the headquar- 
ters of the oldest volunteer military organization in Savannah — the 
Chatham Artillery. It is a structure of rough bricks, occupying the 
front between the two streets. In the basement is the gun-room ; the 
drill-room, on the first floor, furnishes a fine hall for concerts, lectures, 
balls and soirees ; and its second story supplies rooms for the com- 
pany's library and chess clubs. The Chntham Artillery was organ- 
ized on the 1st of May, 1786, and bears to Savannah the relation that 



Guide to Savannah. 23 

" The Ancient and Honoral:)le Company of Artillery " of Massachu- 
setts holds to Boston. On the 20th of June, next after its organiza- 
tion, it discharged its first mournful duty at the funeral of General 
Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fnme, whose remains were tem- 
porarily deposited in a vault of the Old Cemetery, on South Broad 
street, and which could not be identified, in 1820, when sought for 
removal to a final resting-place. What became of them is still a mys- 
tery. The Chatham Artillery has in its battery two light brass field- 
pieces, presented to it by General Washington, in 1792, when Presi- 
dent of the United States. These guns were used until the civil war, 
but, being unserviceable for active duty in the field, were buried, wiih 
the assistance of trustworthy colored men, in the basement of Christ 
Church, whence they were exhumed on the i-eturn of peace (the se- 
cret having been faithfully kept) and restored to the parade uses of 
the company. The Chatham Artillery did good service in the war of 
1812-15, in the Florida war, and took a conspicuous part in the battle 
of Olustee, in the late civil war, and elsewhere. 

Lutheran Church. 

To the east of Wright Square, opposite to Armory Hall and be- 
tween the same streets — State and President — stands the new Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Church, unfinished, having been recently rebuilt, 
and with promise of an imposing structure. The architecture is Nor- 
man Gothic, or Romanesque, and when completed will be very effect- 
ive and singular, but pleasing, possessing many points of excellence. 
Its present slate debars criticism, which mu^t await its completion 
before judgment can be fairly given. The old building, over which 
the present one was erected, while the congregation worshipped within 
the walls of both, was eighty-eight feet long, including portico, by 
fifty-six feet wide, accommodating eight hundred people, and was 
built, in 1843, ^t a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. The in erior of 
the }n-esent one is tasteful and comfortable, and pleases by its excel- 
lent proportions. A memorial window ^n the rear of the pulpit re- 
calls to mind the venerable Thomas Purse, a member of this congi-e- 
gation for more than half a centui'y, and one of Savannah's respected 
citizens. It is worthy of remark, too, that the entire carpentry of the 
interior wns done by the young men of the congregation after the 
close of their usual daily duties — an enduring labor of love. The 



24 Guide to Savannah. 

early records of the society were lost, but it is supposed, according to 
White, to have been established, before 1759, under the Rev. Messi's. 
Rubenhorst and Wottman, but the service being in German — a lan- 
guage little understood then in Savannah — the church was closed and 
not reopened for divine worship until 1824. 

CoURT-HOUSE. 

East of Wright Square, and south of the Lutheran Church, stands 
the court-house of Chatham county, between President and York 
streets. It is a solid structure of the Doric order, of bricks and 
stucco, symbolizing its purpose — to firmly dispense " even-handed 
justice." Unfortunately, it was not raised sufficiently above the 
ground-level, which mars its effect by destroying the impressiveness 
of that heavy style of architecture. It contains two good-sized and 
well-ventilated court-rooms, with clerk's and other county offices, fire- 
proof vaults for the preservation of the county records, and the neces- 
sary jury-rooms for the administration of the law. 

South Broad Street. 
Continuing down Bull street (southward), the next object of in- 
terest is the noble avenue, South Broad street, with its four rows of 
luxuriant shade trees, two of which — down the middle — separate a 
lovely sward from the roadways on both sides, providing the avenue 
with two carriage streets and a shady, grass-covered walk between 
them. The effect is charming, and we question if there be another 
such tempting avenue in the United States. Here, in the olden time, 
when West, South and East Broad streets were, with the river, the 
boundaries of Savannah, youth, treading the soft, grassy turf, poured 
forth its moonlit tales of love, and old age inhaled the balmy air on 
comfortable benches conveniently arranged here and there in line 
with the trees. But the extension of the city, and the addition of 
Forsyth Park, have transferred romance to newer scenes, and South 
Eroad street is left to its endowments of trees, handsome dwellings 
and fine public structures. 

Independent Presbyterian Church. 
Crossing South Broad street, we have, at its southwest intersec- 
tion with Bull street, the Independent Presbyterian Church, endeared 
to the citizens of Savannah by its symmetrical architecture and cher- 



Guide to Savannah. 25 

ished associations. It, with its commodious parsonage on the corner 
of South Broad and Whitaker streets, and the grounds around both, 
cover the entire block between Bull and Whitaker streets, and South 
Broad street and lane. The court in front of the church is planted 
with arbor vitse, and the entrance is by four steps to a spacious portico 
of the Ionic order, with entablature, cornice and pediment, and 
through a roomy vestibule into the body of the church. The walls 
and tower are of Quincy granite, and, with their harmony of window, 
door and tapering spire, reaching two hundred feet heavenward, offer 
to the spectator as pleasing a specimen of ecclesiastical, Romanesque 
architecture as may be found in the country. / The spire is a model of 
adm rable proportions, and, with the whole building, offers a study to 
the architect. The interior is spacious; the ceiling is an ornamented, 
flatteifed ellipse, supported by fluted Ionic columns ; the broad centra] 
aisle, tessellated with white marble and blue slate tiles, leads to a 
grand, elevated pulpit of solid mahogany, ample for the comfortable 
accommodation of a dozen clergymen, with an antes below for the ad- 
ministration of the Lord's Supper to the communicants seated at a 
table in the aisle. Spacious galleries extend the length of the north 
and south walls, uniting with the capacious organ-loft facing the 
pulpit. Altogether, thei-e are few churches in North America that 
surpass this beautiful edifice in the excellence of architectural merits. 
The Society of Independent Presbyterians was organized in Savan- 
nah, about 1755, "nder the Rev. John Zubly, D. D. The present 
churcli edifice was begun in 1815, and consecrated to divine worship 
by its pastor, Rev. Henry Kollock, D. D., May 9th, 1819 — the Presi- 
dent of the United States, James Monroe, on a visit to vSavannah at 
the time, assisting, with his suite, at the ceremonies. Its cost is stated 
at $160,000 in 1 819. 

Chatham Academy. 

Opposite to the Independent Presbyterian Church, at the southeast 
corner of Bull and South Broad streets, s-tands the venerable building 
known as the Chatham Academy, built by the county in connection 
with the Union Society, at which almost all the youth of Savannah 
has been trained, in their successive generations, since its inco:-pora- 
tion in 1788, The portion of the building on Bull street, the property 
of the Union Society, is at present used for the " Pavilion Hotel." 
The rest of the building is applied to educational purposes. The 



26 Guide to Savannah. 

structure is imposing, extending from Bull lo Drayton streets, includ- 
ing its courts, presenting an harmonious front. The play-grounds are 
spacious and well shaded, occupying, with the building, the area be- 
tween Bull and Drayton, and South Broad and Hull streets. 

Independent Presbyterian Sunday-School. 
Continuing his walk, the stranger crosses South Broad Street lane 
and pisses the comfortable Sunday-school building of the Independ- 
ent Presbyterian Church, extending from the lane to Hull street, and, 
crossing Hull street, enters 

Chippewa Square, 
to the right of which (west) is the 

Baptist Church, 
a large, substantial construction, roomy and comfoi'table within. It 
was built in 1833, and was enlai-ged in 1839, at an aggregate cost ol 
^43,000. The Sunday-school and lecture-rooms underneath, in the 
basement, were constructed in 1861. In 1862, a pastor's home was 
purchased lor its ministers. The first Baptist house of worship in 
Savannah was evected in 1795, but was rented, unfinished, to the 
Presbyterians, whose house had been destroyed by fire. In 1799, the 
Baptists organized by calling as their pastor the Rev. Henry PIol- 
combe, ot Beau ort, South Carolina. 

The Theatre. 

Turning from the Baptist Ciiurch to the east is seen, lacing the 
church and between the same streets, Hull and McDonough, an un- 
common looking building, bearing a strong resemblance to a white- 
washed ship-house in a government navy-yard. This is the Savan- 
nah Theatre, built in 1818, perhaps the oldest house of histrionic art 
in the United States. For more than sixty years it has been the chief 
place of amusement for the Savannah people, old and young. Could 
those walls speak, "what tales could they unfold" of the rise, pro- 
gress and decadence of the drama in America ! how they have re- 
sounded with the sonorous tones of the elder and the younger Booth, 
of McCready, Vandenhoff, the Kembles, father and daughter; the 
Coopers, father and daughter ; Forrest and hosts of other tragedians 
and melo-dramatists; and echoed the comicalities of Finn, Hilson, 
the two Placides, Hackett; and absorbed the melting tones and 



Guide to Savannah. 27 

artistic rozilades and trills of Kelly, Hughes, Russell, and the stars of 
operatic music. The voices of past generations and of the present 
are blended in the silence of those venerable walls. The history of 
the " Savannah Theatre" — this ungainly old building — is a record of 
the stage in the United States; and critical were the audiences, in ihe 
old days of the legitimate drama, who criticised the performances 
upon her boards. Old as it is, no theatre in the United States sur- 
passes it in its proportions of stage room and auditorium, and in its 
acoustic properties. Actors, singers and orators agree in pro'iouncing 
it one of the most delightful theatres to recite or sing in of the pres- 
ent day. The walls are solid and strong, and with a fine architect- 
ural front, and ornamented windows, it could be made, externally, 
one of the handsomest theatres in the country, as it is, internally, one 
of the best. 

In this Chippewa Square Lafayette laid the corner-stone of a nnn- 
ument to Pulaski, as we have seen, but it was removed, in 1853, to 
Monterey Square, and a pretty jet d'eau now occupies its center. 

Con inuing his walk down Bull street, and crossing 

Liberty Street, 
another broad and beautiful avenue with three rows of shade trees, 
the visitor comes to 

Oglethorpe Barracks. 
At its southeast corner with Bull are the United States Army Bar- 
racks, named in honor of General Oglethorpe. These barracks cover 
two blocks and the lane between, extending from Liberty to Harris 
streets, and from Bull to Drayton, fronting on Bull. They are in 
favor with the army, as they are rated among the most convenient, 
comfortable and well-built barracks in the Southern States for their 
capacity, two companies. They were constructed about 1833-5- At 
present they are not occupied by troops, and it is recommended by 
the General of the Army to Congress to abandon them altogether apd 
sell them at public auction. 

Madison Square. 
Passing the Oglethorpe Barracks, and crossing Harris street, Mul- 
ison Square is entered. In the center of the square is the corner- 
stone and foundation of the "Jasper Monument," laid on the 9th of 



28 Guide to Savannah. 

October, 1S79, ^^^ ^ nteiinial anniversary of Sergeant Jasper's deatri, 
in the siege of Savannah, by the Jasper Monumental Association. 
Sergeant Jasper was, it is believed, an Irishman by birth, and that he 
emigrated to America, before the Revolutionary war, and settled in 
South Carolina. At the beginning of the war for independence, he 
enlisted in the Second South Carolina Regiment of Infantry, Colonel 
Moultrie, and gave the first proof of his gallantry in the British 
attack upon Fort Moultrie, June 28th, 1776. The flag-staff of the 
Americans had been shot away. Jasper took up the flag, fastened it 
toa sponge-stafFand defiantly planted it on the rampart under a heavy 
fire from the enemy's vessels. For this he was presented with a sword 
and offered a commission. He accepted the sword, but modestly de- 
clined the commission. His daring led him frequently into the Brit- 
ish lines, from which he always returned with valuable information. 
His exploit in rescuing a number of American prisoners from a Brit- 
ish guard, at a spring two miles from Savannah, where the party had 
halted for refreshment, was a daring act of cool courage. The story, 
as told by White in his " Statistics of Georgia," is as follows : 

*' Learning that a number of American prisoners were to be brought 
from Ebenezer to Savannah — then occupied by the British — for trial, 
Jasper determined to release them at all hazards. With Newton as 
his companion, at a spring two miles from Savannah and about thirty 
yards from the main road, he awaited tke arrival of the prisoners. 
When the escort — consisting of a sergeant, corporal and eight men, 
and the prisoners in irons — stopped t > refresh themselves at tliis 
spring, two of the guard only remained with the captives. The others 
leaned their guns against the trees, when Jasper and Newton sprang 
from their hiding place, seized the guns and shot down the two sen- 
ti^nels. The remaining six soldiers were deterred from making any 
effort to recover their guns by threats of immediate death, and were 
forced to surrender. The prisoners were released, and Jasper and 
Newton, with thsir redeemed friends and captive foes, crossed the 
Savannah river and joined the American army at Purysburgh." 

The spring has been known ever since as "Jasper's Spring," and is 
a resort of interest to the citizens of Savannah. 

In the disastrous siege of Savannah by the allied American and 
French forces under ■ G-;neral Lincoln and Count d'Estaing, the gal- 
lant Jasper lost his life in an attempt to replace his regimental colors 



Guide to Savannah. 29 

within the British lines, where they had been carried by an assault 
and their bearer shot down. 

In memory of this brave non-commissioned officer, thus identified 
with the city, the people of Savannah determined to erect a monu- 
ment to him, and to write his epitaph upon it. The first step has been 
taken, and it is hoped that the project will soon be artistically con- 
summated. 

Saint John's Church. 

At the southwest of Madison Square, and facing it, stands Saint 
John's Episcopal Church, between Macon and Charlton streets. It is 
a fine construction of the Anglo-Gothic of the fourteenth century, the 
early English pointed, though not of great size. The entrance is 
through the bell-tower into the church, which preserves, with minute 
exactness, the order it represents. The open roof or vaulting, of 
carved yellow pitch pine, with its corbels, rafters and beams, is in ex- 
cellent taste and keeping, as also are the chancel and table. At the 
west end is a painted window, bearing cross, mitre and Bible. On 
tablets below it are the Lord's prayer, creed and ten commandments; 
and fronting the chancel the harmonious organ loft. There is but one 
defect : the pulpit, proper to that style of architecture, is wanting. 
One was put in when the church was built, but removed by a rector 
who preferred the lecturn which now stands for it. The number of 
communicants increasing in proportion with the population, Christ 
Church could not furnish accommodation for all of them. Hence, in 
1840, this (Saint John's) parish was organized, and the present build- 
ing completed in 1853, and dedicated by Bishop Elliott. 

Female Orphan Asylum. 

South of the square, at the southeast corner of Charlton and Bull, is 
a substantial building that looks as if it were a commmodious private 
residence. This is the Female Orphan Asylum. It had a common 
origin with the "Union Society" in 1750 for the care and education 
of orphan and destitute children in general, who enjoyed its charities, 
without distinction of sex, until the 17th of December, 1801, whtn 
the sexes were separated, for the benefit of both. The Female 
Orphan Asylum l)egan then a distinct existence, the boys remaining 
with the Union Society. (See "Union Society."} 



30 Guide to Savannah. 

Jones Street, 

Another of Savannah's beautiful avenues, at the northest corner of 
Avhich is the 

German Harmonie Club House, 
formerly the spacious residence of the late Alexander A. Smets, 
whose large private library of rare and well -chosen books of ancient, 
niediiT^val, and modern literature, science and art, engravings and 
drawings, was known to the scholars of Europe aud America. 

Pulaski Monument. 

Crossing Jones street, and still walking southward, we come to 
Monterey Square, in the center of which is the celebrated Pulaski 
Monument, one of the best productions of the skilled chisel of his 
fellow-countryman, Launitz. It is of white marble, and justly com- 
mands admiration. We have seen that in 1853 the corner-stone laid 
in 1825 by Lafayette to the memory of Pulaski in Chippewa Square, 
was removed to this, Monterey Squai'e, where it was relaid on the 
nth of October with an additional corner-stone, and with all the 
honors — civic, military, and masonic — of the city, in the presence of a 
large concourse of citizens. The best description of the monument is 
given by the artist (Launitz) himself, in his letter to the building 
committee, as follows: 

" Gentlemen — I herewith have the honor to submit, according to 
your proposals, a design for a monument to the memory of Count 
Pulaski, consisting of an elevation and perspective view. In design- 
ing the monument, I have had particular regard to purity of style,, 
richness of effect, and strength and durability in material and 
execution, while I have not lost sight of the main object, which is to 
design a viomunejit for Pulaski. 

" It is perceived at the first glance that the monument is intended 
for a soldier who is losing his life fighting. Wounded, he falls from 
his horse, while still grasping his sword. The date of the event is 
recorded above the subject. The coats-of-arms of Poland and Georgia, 
surrounded by branches of laurel, ornament the cornice on two sides, 
or fronts; they stand united together, while the eagle — emblem of 
liberty, independence, and courage — rests on both, bidding proud 
defiance. The eagle being the symbolic bird of both Poland and 
America, the allegory will need no further explanation. The cannon 



Guide to Savannah 31 

reversed (on the corners of the die) are emblematical of military loss 
and mourning, while they give the monument a strong military 
character. 

" To facilitate the execution of the shaft, which it would be 
impossible to execute in one piece, I have divided the same into 
several pa' ts, separated by bands so as to remove the unsightliness of 
horizontal joints on a plain surface. The bands are alternately, 
ornamented with stars, emblems of the States and Territories — now 
and in embryo — which enjov and will enjoy the fruits of the valor 
of the heroes of the Revolution. The garlands on the alternate bands 
above the stars denote that they (the States) are young and flourishing. 
The shaft is surmounted by a highly elaborate cap, which adds 
richness, loftiness, and grandeur to the structure. The monument is 
surmounted by a statue of Liberty holding the banner of the stars and 
stripes. The love of liberty brought Pulaski to America; for love of 
liberty he fought; and for liberty he lost his life; and thus I thought 
that Liberty should ci"own his monument, and share with him the 
crown of victory. The garlands surrounding the colum i show that 
Liberty now is a young and blooming maiden, surrounded with 
fragrant flowers. 

"The monument is designed to be fifty-five feet high, which, for a 
square in a city, is of ample height. The two steps and lower plinth 
to be of granite, and all the rest to be of the finest and best Italian 
marble, in solid blocks, weighing from one to six tons, and to be 
executed hi the most artistical and workmanlike manner; to rest on a 
solid foundation six feet deep, or more, if the soil requires it. The 
first step to be in twelve pieces; the second step in eight pieces, as 
also the plinth, of best hammered granite. The base block in four 
pieces; the base moulding in two pieces. The die, with the cannon, 
in four pieces, jointed at the sides; each front will weigh five tons. 
The cornice in two pieces. The base block of shaft, as well as every 
section of the shaft, each in one solid piece ; the cap of shaft in two 
pieces; the statue and columns, each part in one piece. All the parts 
that are composed of more than one piece, to be cramped with dove- 
tail keys of metal. The monument to be delivered and erected in 
Savannah in two years,- say on or before the 1st of July, 1854. The 
cost of the whole, as above specified, to be $17,000. 

(Signed) " Robt. E, Launitz." 



32 Guide to Savainnaii. 

These proposals were accepted, the contract fulfilled, and Polish 
genius thus commemorates Polish valor. 

Brigadier General Casimir Count Pulaski, of the Continental army, 
was a nobleman of ancient lineage, w..o had unsuccessfully contencied. 
for the principles of liberty in his native land of Poland against the 
invasions of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, and was exiled. The 
struggle in America for freedom won his sympathy, and he 
det rniined to cast his lot in with the colonies against tyranny and 
oppression. Dr. Franklin, then Minister to France, gave him a letter 
to Washington. In the battle of the Brandywine he confirmed, by 
his courage and skill, the reputation he had gained in Europe of being 
an able and accomplished soldier. After this battle, Congress 
appointed Pulaski a Brigadier General of cavalry in the Continental 
army. In 1778, he raised, with the approbation of Washington, a 
corps called "Pulaski's Legion," and was ordered with it to join 
General Lincoln at Savannah in 1779. In the assault upon Savannah, 
then held by the British, October 9th, 1779, he sealed his devotion to 
liberty with his blood. He was mortally wounded by a cannon shot. 
Some of his men bore him from the field to the fleet below the city. 
Two days afterward he died at sea, and was buried in the deep. Art 
and Poetiy have erected their monuments to his memory, and His- 
tory has crowned them both with immortality. 

First Presbyterian Church. 

To the east of Monterey Square are the First Presbyterian Church 
and the synagogue, " Mickva Israel." The Presbyterian Church is of 
the early English pointed Gothic, and is a handsome, commodious 
edifice, between Taylor and Wayne streets. It is an excellent 
specimen of its order, and was begun in 1856, but not completed 
until after the civil war. With its tasteful Sunday-school room in the 
rear, it presents a pleasant ai-chitectural effect, in harmony with the 
beautiful square it faces upon. This society was organized in 1827. 

The Synagogue Mickva Israel. 
This gem of mediaeval architecture, of the transition to geometric 
pointed Gothic, is south of the Presbyterian Church, between Wayne 
and Gordon streets. The corn'er-stone of it was laid March i, 1876, 
and the building completed and dedicated on the i ith of April, 1878. 
Within, the architecture corresponds to the exterior, and the whole 



Guide to Savannah. 33 

offers a pleasing, harmonious study. There is not a finer structure 
in Savannah, and in better taste, than this place for worship 
of God's ancient people The music of its ritual is well sustained. 
The early history of " IMickva Israel" is uncertain. We have seen 
that there was an immigration of Israelites in 1733, who, however 
remained but a short time, and it is supposed that this coiigregation 
was then organized. But we have no records of its history prior to 
its charter of November 30, 1790. 

Gaston Street. 

Passing on, and crossing Gordon street, a few steps bring us to 
the beautiful avenue, Gaston street, on which fronts 

Forsyth Park. 
Of this beautiful park and its extension, the citizens of Savannah 
are especially proud, and rightly so, for there is none other like it in 
the United States. The magnificent parks of New York, Philadel- 
phia, Baltimore, and other large cities of the North and West are 
grand in their extent, in the munificence which has created them, and 
in their many attractions of terrace, sward, and lakes; all beautiful and 
costly, the pleasure grounds of wealth. But Forsyth Park charms by 
its modesty, simplicity, and its unique conservation of the native 
for -"St pine [pinus rigida) for the gratification of old and young. Its 
arrangement is similar to that of the Grand Park of the City of 
Mexico, combining an alafneda, or public walk, with a paseo, or 
public drive. Our alaineda, or public walk, contains about twenty 
acres, enclosed by a neat iron fence, which (acres) are laid off in 
serpentine walks and grass plats, interspersed with clumps of roses, 
coleas, cacti, dahlias, and fanciful mounds and structures of ivy and 
other luxuriant runners and climbei'S, The main gates, fronting on 
Bull street, are capped with unexploded shells, memorials of the civil 
war, and open upon the broad walk — guarded at the entrance by 
sphinxes — which leads to the artistic fountain that gi^aces the center 
of the park. This fountain is said by some to have been modelled 
after the design that took the prize at the first international exhibition 
at London, in 1844; but others claim it to be a copy of the fountain 
in the Place de la Concorde, Paris. From our own recollections, we 
accept the pattern after the London design as the true one. The 
basin of the fountain bears the broad, verdant leaves of water lilies 



34 Guide to Savannah. 

upon its bosom, the whole encircled by a ])arterre of exquisite flower- 
bearers wkhin an abundant, welbkept hedge of enoiiy/niis, sustained 
by a solid iron railing;. 

The paseo, or " Extension," as it is called, added recently to the 
alaiiieda, contains about thirty acres, which are yet unadorned, except 
by a few trees and the Confederate monument, erected to the memory 
of the Confederate dead who fell, or died of wounds received, in the 
late civil war. The monument stands upon a raised terrace, coped 
with granite, and is reached by granite steps to its base, whence 
spring the plinth, die, cornice, and shaft, capped by a bronze statue 
of a Confederate soldier at "parade rest,'' the generous ^^ift of the Inte 
G. W. J. DeRenne, Esq. On the die of the monument is this simple 
and touching dedication: 

*'Come from the four winds, 
O breath, 
And breathe upon these slaia 
That they may live." 



"TO THE CONFEDERATE DEAD, 

1861-1865." 

The cornerstone was laid June i6th, 1875, ^^^^ ^'^^ monument was 
unveiled in May, 1876. There is art and taste in the chiselling of 
this monument, but the shaft lacks proportionate height. The bronze 
statue is an admirable casting in that style of art. Ease, grace, and 
manliness distinguish the figure, and the accessories of musket, worn 
hat, and tattered clothing, are true to the life, reproducing with 
wonderful exactness the rents, patches, darns, and rude sewing that 
betray the deprivations and hardships the Southern Confederate 
soldiers had to endure in their gallant but painful struggle of four 
years of unsuccessful warfare. So perfect and well cast is this bronze 
that its elevation is to be' regretted, as it is impossible for ordinary 
sight to detect and follow out its minute details. 

The "Extension" is, at present, the general drill and parade 
ground for the volunteer soldiery of Savannah; but when it shall be 
completed as a ri.ing park, according to plans in conception and 



Guide to Savannak. 35 

perfecting, Savannah will enjoy a bcauliful pleasure ground of about 
fifty acres, divided most appropriately for walking and driving ill 
conjunction. The boundaries of these parks are Gaston street on the 
north, Drayton street on the east, New Houston street on the south, 
and Whitakcr street on the west. 

Georgia Historical Society. 
In his walk around the park, the visitor notes a handsome building, 
within a neat iron railing, evidently not a private residence, at the 
southwest corner of Whitakerand Gaston streets. This is " Hodgson 
Hall," the library of the Georgia Historical Society. This Mne hall 
was erected by Mrs. Margaret Telfair Hodgson [itee Telfair) to the 
memory of her husband, Mr. William B. Hodgson, who was an active 
member of the society during his life in Savannah. The building 
(94 feet by 41 feet) was begun in 1873, but Mrs. Hodgson dying 
without having made fo7-}}ial provision for its construction, her elder 
sister. Miss Mary Telfair, took up the work, and, being Mrs. 
Hodgson's residuary legatee, made a deed in trust (for the use of the 
so iety) of the lot and building thereon, the residuary estate being 
charged with the expense of completing the construction. Miss 
Telfair died in 1874, but the work was carried on agreeably to the 
legal terms of the deed, and in September, 1875, the library of the 
society occupied "Hodgson Hall." The formal dedication took 
place on the thirty-seventh anniversary of the society, February 14, 
1876. About twelve thousand volumes constitute the libraiy, with 
the current leading magazines and reviews, and is a delightful reading 
room, open daily (Sundays excepted) from 1 1 a. m. to 9 p. m. for the 
members, their families, and strangers visiting the city, introduced by 
members. A good, full-length portrait of the late Mr. Hodgson, by 
Brandt, with a few historical paintings, adorn the hall. 

The Savannah Hospital. 
On the other side of the park, opposite to the Georgia Historical 
Society's library, the visitor has also noted (at the southeast corner of 
Gaston and Drayton streets) a large building, with high brick walls, 
enclosing the area comprised within Gaston, Abercorn, Huntingdon, 
and Drayton streets. This is the "Savannah Hospital." It is not a 
municipal charity, as its name would lead one to suppose, but the 
foundation of a private corporation. It receives from the city, how- 



36 Guide to Savannah. 

ever, a grant of 31500 per annum for the privileges of a poor house 
and medical and surgical treatment of white paupers. The hospital 
fronts on Huntingdon street, and consists of a central main building 
with two extensive Avings, the whole supplying four large wards, for 
males and females, and private rooms for the accommodation of pay 
patients, who prefer treatment there to the, perhaps, indifferent care 
of an hotel. A resident physician is always present on the premises, 
and, in all of its appointments, it comj^ares favorably with similar 
institutions in our coun:ry. Medical visitors from the North commend 
the thorough ventilation of the wards, and the completeness of its 
arrangements. Medical lectures and clinics are here given to students. 
Its first incorporation was m 1S35. Here, too, at the corner of Gaston 
and Drayton streets, are the examining and prescription rooms for 
outside pauper patients, v/ho procure the medicines at the City 
Dispensary, southeast corner' of State and Whitaker streets. 

The Babies. 
As strangers lounge down Bull street, from the Greene Monument 
to Forsyth Park, they have crossed the two principal shopping streets, 
Congress and Broughton; four grand avenues, South Broad, Liberty, 
Jones, and Gaston; and have passed through five beautiful squares, 
or parks, Johnson, Wright, Chippewa, Madison, and Monterey. In 
their walk they have had occasion frequently to exercise their skill in 
avoiding the numerous perambulators that crowd the side-walk with 
freights of little innocents, and they have observed also that the 
squares are filled with baby-carriages, and children playing games or 
romping at will, secure from the dangers of hoi"ses and vehicles. The 
Savannah baby lives in the open air from its birth — the squares of 
the city, of which there are twenty-four, and Forsyth Park, supplying 
convenient and comfortable gossipping exchanges for the nurses, to 
say nothing of occasional flirtations, and secure play grounds for the 
children, where no harm can come to them — hence it is ihat the 
healthiness and loveliness of Savannah's children, the foundation of 
the longevity of its inhabitants, are noticed by strangers. 



BAY STREET. 

Returning from Forsyth Park to the Greene obelisk in Johnson 
Square, and proceeding up Bull street (north), we come in a few mo- 



Guide to Savannah. 37 

ments to Bay street, the great commercial street of Savannah, which 
we cro sed between tlie steamer and the hotel. This is a noble 
avenue, lined on both sides with the mercantile houses, banks and 
business offices that control the commerce and trade that rolls over its 
pavements every year to the amount of $60,000,000. 

The Exchange. 
At. the head of Bull street, fronting south, stands hi the center of 
Bay street "The Exchange," flanked on both sides by a broad walk 
between two lows of shade trees. It is a primitive structure, having 
been built in 1 799, and is typical of the simplicity of American arch- 
itecture at that early period. It was intended for a Merchants' Ex- 
change by the joint stock company that originated it, the city taking 
twenty-five shares of the stock. The ground was leased for ninety- 
nine years, and the building cost twenty thousand .dollars. By suc- 
cessive purchases of stock, the city became, in 1612, the possessor of 
the property, and converted it into a City Hall, which it still is, 
th ugh the original name of " Exchange " is retain-^d. The lower 
story, on a level with the street, and the rooms below, facing the river, 
except two, are rented to private parties for offices. The second story 
contains the rooms of the Mayor and City Council and the offices ot 
Clerk of Council and City Treasurer, In the third story are the City 
Surveyor's, the Marslial's, the Water Commissioners', the Fire Alarm 
Telegraph, and other minor offices. In the steeple hangs the vener- 
able City Hall clock and bell that marks the hours for the city and 
clangs the warning note of fires. From this steeple (of easy access) 
there is a comprehensive view of the city and the surrounding coun- 
try ; and from it one realizes the appropriateness of the title, " Forest 
City," in its application to Savannah, as the " city can scarcely be seen 
for the trees " — only the spires, steeples and roofs of the houses rising, 
as it were, from a bed of living verdure. It is a sight worth seeing. 
An excellent portrait of (jeneral Robert E. Lee, life-size, adorns the 
Council Chamber. 

The Custom House. 

At the southeast comer of Bay and Bull streets is the Custom 
House, a substantial building of Quincy granite, one hundred and ten 
feet long by fifty-two feet deep, and from pavement to ridge fifty-two 
feet in height. The basement — street level — contains the Internal 



38 Guide to Savannah. 

Revenue ofllce and store-rooms. In the first story, reached by a broad 
flight of stone steps outside, are the offices of the Collector of Cus- 
toms, and of his deputies and assistants, and the Customs hall proper. 
The third story is appropriated to the United vSt tes Courts and their 
Judges' rooms, Clerk's and Marshal's offices. The budding was com- 
pleted in 1850. 

Post-Office. 
Tnis bureau of letters and important function in all the ramifica- 
tions of business has in Savannah no home of its own, l)ut is moved 
from one place to another as its leases expire and convenience may 
suggest. At present, it is to be found in the basement and first story 
of the " Commercial Building," at he southeast corner of B'.y and 
Drayton streets, occupying the side on Drayton street. Before, during 
and for a time after the late civil war, the Post-office was in the dingy 
basement of the Custom House, in the rooms now occupied by the 
Internal Revenue Department, and was removed thence, in 1S75, to 
its present position, where there is no security against fire beyond the 
ordinary care and watchfulness of private offices. The commercial 
and business relations of Savannah with the world at large, domestic 
and foreign, demand greater care by the Government of its corre- 
spondence and postal matter in a separate fire-proof building, and 
they should have it at the earliest day practicable. 

United States Signal Office. 

In the same building with the Post-office is the United States Signal 
office, well worth a call by those hav ng any curiosity in meteorolog- 
ical science, and from which the citizens of Savannah are daily posted 
as to their probable need for umbrellas and great coats during the 
day, and the state of the weather the world over. 

The Southern Bank of the ^tate of Georgia. 
Passing down Drayton street is the substantial edifice, at the south- 
west corner of Drayton and B'yan streets, of the Southern I-ank of 
the State of Georgia ; and further down 

The Merchants' National Bank, 
at the northeast corner of Drayton and St. Julian streets, a solid con- 
struction of bricks and stucco, originally built for the old United 



Guide to Savannah. 39 • 

Stntes Bank, afterwards used by the Marine Bank, and now by the 
INIerchanls' National l>ank. 

Turning down St. Julian street to the east, we come to Reynolds 
Square and Abercorn street. Following down Abercorn to South 
Broad is seen at tiieir southeast intersection 

The Old Cemetery. 
Here were interred the remains of the early settlers of Savannah, 
and of their posterity, until sanitary reasons required, in 1852, that it 
should be closed and another site for sepulture provided, further re- 
moved from the dwellings of the living. This was formally done by 
proclamation, on the 15th of Mav, 1853, when the new " City of the 
Dead," " Laurel Grove," was opened for interments. The eld vaults 
and tombs are left, howevei, though their contents, the hallowed rem- 
nants of mortality, have been transferred to the other cemeteries of 
later date. Many, however, still repose undisturbed, and the " Old 
Cemetery" is preserved in reverence. It is in charge of a committee 
of ladies, who keep it in order, always open to the inspection ot the 

curious. 

The Police Barracks. 

Adjoining the Old Cemetery on the east, at the southwest corner of 
South Broad an I Habersham streets, is the handsome barrack of the 
City Police. The building is one of the architectural ornaments of 
the city, and, in its arrangements, one of the most complete for the 
purpose in the United States. It contains a court-room, quarters for 
the officers and barrack-rooms for the men, bath-rooms with modern 
conveniences for their use, and wide piazzas on the south side. At- 
tached are a drill and parade-ground, houses for cells and stables for 
the horses of the mounted police. The buildings and grounds are 
worth inspection. 

The Convent of Saint Vincent. 

Retracing our steps (westward) to Abercorn street, and following it 
down along the venerable walls of the Old Cemetery, we come, at 
the southeast corner of Abercorn and Liberty streets, to the Convent 
of Saint Vincent de Paul, the property of the Sisters of Mercy. The 
buildings consist of the convent, enclosed galleries and chapel, with 
school-rooms covering the whole block between Abercorn and Lin- 
coln streets on the east, and Liberty street and lane (closed up). It 
» 



40 Guide to Savannah. 

was founded, in 1842, by the Rev. J. F. O'Neill, the pioneer priest of 
Georgia, who obtained from the city a lot for educationa purposes, 
on condition that his proposed building should be c mpleted within 
three years. His undertaking was accomplished; and in 1845, ^^ 
placed it in charge of Sisters from Charleston, South Carolina, de- 
voted to teaching and to the care of the ori)han, the sick and the 
needy. 

In the chapel of the convent is a beautiful representation, in wood 
carviiTg, of the "Dead Christ," supported by His ever blessed mother, 
"Our Lady of Dolors," presented to the convent by a generous 
frien 1. This admirable work of art, by William H. z\lhard, of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, is thus described to us by himself: 

" The group you speak of is a copy of the most celebrated original 
by W. E. Achterman, a citizen of Rome for the last thirty years. The 
original was ordered by the Bishop of Minster, Westphalia, in Ger- 
many, The group (Pieta) being over life-size, executed in the fi est 
grain of marble, cost near ^20,000. Achterman is a native of West- 
phalia." 

The agony of the mother and the nervelessness of the Dead Christ 
are wonderfully represented. 

Cathedral of Our I,ady of Perpetual Help. 
South of and adjoining the Convent of Saint Vincent, at the northeast 
corner of Abercorn and Harris streets, is the Cathedral of Our Lady 
of Perpetual Help; perhaps the largest and finest church south of 
Philadelphia. It occupies a frontage on Abercorn street of one 
hundred feet, and extends back two hundred and twelve feet on 
Harris street. Its order of architecture is French Gothic, in the style 
of Notre Dame, of Paris, with nave and transcepts, and is built of 
brick, rough cast. The interior is lofty and impressing ; the triple 
rows — central and side — of groined arches, meeting at their apices 
sixty- five feet above the flooring, supported by columns of bronze, 
exquisitely capped with original and fanciful composition'^. The 
sanctuary is fifty feet deep, and its railing (fr6m end to end of the 
transcepts) ninety-nine feet in length. On both sides of the sanctuary 
are private galleries for the sisters and other religious. Within the 
sanctuary is a fine altar of white mai-ble; and at the epistle side 
(south) is the altar of the Blessed Virgin, and marble statue and altar 



Guide to Savannah. 41 

of St. Joseph. Above the altar ol the Virgin is a good copy of Murillo's 
" Immaculate Conception." On the north and south walls are the 
fourteen " Stations, or Way of the Cross," excellent copies (in tne 
highest style of Paris art) of a celebrated set in Rome. The corner- 
stone of this noble edifice was laid in 1874, and the building (fit for 
woi'ship) was dedicated to the service of God, April 30th, 1 8761 

Saint Stephen's Church (Colored). 
Following down Harris street — eastward — to Troup Square, we 
come (at the west side of the square, between Harris and Macon 
Streets,) to the pretty little Episcopal church of Samt Steplien, for 
the colored people. It is a neat structure, and the parish is under 
the pastoral care of a white rector. The ritual of the Episcopal 
Church is here well sustained by a choir of colored musical amateurs. 
White visitors are welcomed, as at all the colored churches in 
Savannah, with courtesy and hospitality. 

Saint Joseph's Infirmary. 
Continuing down Habersham to Taylor street, we have (at their 
northwest intersection, north of Whitefield Square,) the hospital of 
the Sisters of Mercy^ known as the " Saint Joseph's Infirmary." It was 
formerly the Savannah Medical College, and has been altered for its 
present use. The wards are large and well ventilated; broad piazzas 
surround the house, and the pay patients' rooms are neat and comfort- 
able. It receives from the city $500 per annum for the privileges of 
poor house and pauper medical treatment, and divides with the 
Savannah Hospital the marine hospital service of the port. It is 
open to patients, physicians, and clergy of every denomination, 
without distinctions of creed or restrictions. 

Wesley Monumental Church. 

Returning (by Taylor street) to Abercorn, we come to Calhoun 
Square, on the west of which, between Wayne and Gordon streets, is 
the unfinished W^esley Monumental Church, of early pointed Gothic, 
which promises, by what has been already constructed, to be one of 
the most beautiful and nnposing church edifices in Savannah. 1 he 
corner-stone was laid in 1875, and the completion is delayed for want 
of funds. The dimensions are seventy feet front on Calhoun Squa e, 
by one hundred and twenty-four feet in length, upon a basement 



42 Guide to Savannah. 

story thirteen feet liigli. The auditorium is comfortably used at 
present ^or church seivices, and under it, in the imsement, tlie Sunday 
school is held. The length of the church is unfortunately curtailed 
to give room for a parsonage in the rear, which affects its harmonious 
proportion in ratio with the width and height. The facade will, 
when finished, be one of the most perfect and pleasing architectural 
faces in the city. 

Saint Joseph's Church (Coloked). 

Crossing to ]Jrayton street, westward, and going up it to Perry 
street, we find at their northeast corner Saint Joseph's Church ( Roman 
Catholic), for colored people. It is an unpretending building, but 
n 'at, within and without, and fairly orna:uented with altar and 
figures. From its central position, many white Catholics attend mass 
here with their colored brethren. 



We have now exhausted the city proper on and east of Bull street, 
and crossing it, begin our examination of the western part. Let us 
return, then, to Liberty street, next south ot Perry, and proceeding up 
it ( westward), we come to the 

Masonic Temple and Lodges, 

at the northwest corner of Liljerty and Whitaker streets. This is 
a sub tantial and handsome building, erected by the Masonic fraternity 
of the city for secure celebration of their mysterious rites. The first 
story is rented out for stores. The second story is a fine, capacious 
hall for concerts, balls, dramatic representations, etc. The third story 
contains the chambers of the fraternity. 

i^olomon's Lodge, No, i, A. F. M., was organized in 1733, the year 
in which Savannah was settled, and chartered 1735. It is the second 
oldest chartered lodge in the United States. 

Georgia Council, No. 2, of Royal and Select Masters. 

Georgia Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., was established in 18 18. 

Palestine Commandery, No. 7, K. T., was instituted on the 1st of 
April, 1S67. 

Zcrubbabel Lodge, No. 15, A. F. M., was chartered on the 5th of 
November, 1840. 



GuJDE TO Savannah. 43 

Clinton Lodge, No. 54, F. A. M., was cliaitcred on the 27th of 
October, 1S47. 

Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 231, was chartered on the 15th of 
November, 1859. 

An architectural peculiarity of this structure is, that the corner and. 
window mouldings are of artificial stone, made by chemical process 
from sand. It is of fine grain, hard, and apparently durable. 

Going up Whitaker street (north) we pass in the rear of the Baptist 
Church (see page 26) ; by the parsonage of the Independent Presby- 
terian Church, at the southeast corner of Whitaker and South Broad 
streets; by the State Armory, between York and I'resident streets; by 
Metropolitan Flail, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Benevolent 
Association, at the northeast corner of President and Whitaker --treets ; 
the City Dispensary, at the southeast corner of Whitaker and State 
streets; by the fine Lyons block, northeast corner of Broughlon and 
Whitaker, and come lo the 

Morning News Printing House, 
which is situated at the northwest corner of Whitaker street and Bay 
street lane. We can give no better description than the following 
sketch, taken from the Atlanta Sunday Gazette: 

" "Jlie Morning Nezos building, located at No. 3 Whitaker street, 
corner of Bay lane, was erected in 1875, especially for the purpose 
and with a single view to its adaptation to the publishing and printing 
business, and at that time it was thought large enough to meet all 
requirements of the paper for the next quarter of a century. This 
idea, however, proved to be a mistake, and it was found necessary, 
two years since, to add the building adjoining it on the north. 
From this building are issued the Daily Morning News, publish ng 
two editions; the Savannah Weekly News, the Sunday Telegram, 
the Southern Farmer'' s Monthly, and the Adorning Nezvs Library. 
The arrangement of the main building is very complete, and is as 
follows: 

" The basement contains two engines (with separate boilers, that in 
case of an accident to one there will be no delay in issuing the paper) ; 
a large three-revolution Floe press; a mammoth double-cylinder 
press; one P'orsaith and one Chambers folding machine; mailing 
tables, etc. The double cylinder is one of the largest presses of the 
kind ever built. 



44 Guide to Savannah. 

"The street front is divided into two rooms, one for the publication 
office and the otlier for the stock and the superintende^it's room of the 
printing and binding departments. On this floor is also the proprietor's 
private office. 

"On the second floor are the editorial rooms. 

"The third floor is entirely given up to the book and job printing 
departments, in which everything that is needed to do goo I work can 
be found. Experienced printers who have been employed in it say it 
is the best place of the kind they have ever worked in. 

"The top, or fourth floor, is devoted to the newspaper composing 
room, a iinely lighted and well ventilated apartment. 

"The new addition is connected on each lloor with the ma'n 
building the entrances being protected by iron doors, so as to prevent 
the spreading of a fire should one occur. 

" Its basement forms a part of the press-room department already 
described, t'le wetting room, where the newspaper is wet before it is 
printed, and is also used as a store room for paper, a large supply of 
which is always kept on hand, so that no ordinary accident to a paper 
mill can endanger an issue of the various publications of t.ie establish- 
ment. 

"On the first or street floor of this building is the job press room, 
where there are eiglit steam presses, which, during the business 
season, often run eighteen hours out of the twenty-four. 

"On the second floor are the electrotyping and stereotyping rooms 
fitted up with Hoe's latest improved machinery. The Iront rooms on 
this floor are occupied by the engraving and lithographing departments. 

" The third floor is devoted exclusively to the book bindery and 
blank-book manufactory. Here is every facility for binding l)ooks 
and making blank books, the latest machines for ruling paper, and 
cutting and paging machines, etc. 

"An elevator driven by steam extends from the basement to the top 
floor of the main building, with openings on each floor, and all rooms 
are connected with the business depaitments on the street floor by 
speaking tubes, where the telephone connects the establishment with 
the railroads, the steamers, the wharves, the pulilic offices and the 
principal business houses, by means of the telephone exchange. A 
wire also connects the office with the signal station at Tybee, eighteen 
miles distant. In addition to all these facilities, the budding is well 



Guide to Savannah. 45 

protected against fire, having hydraiits on each floor, and hose and 
pipe attached at all times on three floors. 

"Nearly one hundred names are on the jmy rolls of this establish- 
ment, which amount to from $i,ioo to $1,300 per week. 

" The success of this paper is remarkable when it is remembered 
that there are a number of daily papers in Georgia (saying nothing of 
the good weeklies), with which the Savannah Aloj'uing Neius has had 
to contest every inch of ground, while newspapers publi.^hed in other 
Southern States have had but few other dailies to contend with in 
their own State. This paper has not only held to itself its own 
legitimate territory, but almost monopolizes the lower half of Georgia, 
three-quarters of the State of Florida, and a part of South Carolina." 

The Market House. 
Turning into Bay street, and going west, we take the next street, 
Barnard, and turning down it, come upon the City Market, a solid; 
commodious structure of brick, with wide, open arches, occupying the 
entire square between Bryan and Congress streets. It was built since 
the war, in 1872, and is excellently arranged for its purposes. The 
roomy basement, half under ground, and the market, above it, well 
lighted and ventilated, furnish large accommodations, though not 
enough now for the requirements of the city. The ordinances 
legulating the market and market hours are rigid, and there is not a 
cleaner, better policed and kept market in the country. It is as clean 
as soap, water, sand, and hard scrubbing can make it, so that visitors 
to Savannah may rest secure in the cleanliness of their diet so far. 
Its supjdies of fish, meats, vegetables, fruits, and breads are various 
and abundant, and the goiirviet must be unfortunately hypercritical 
Avho cannot find in it the materials for a delicious gastroninuque 
feast. 

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Continuing down Barnard street, south, we cross Broughton street 
and come to State street and Saint James Square. On the west side 
of this square, between President and York streets, facing east, stands 
"Old Trinity," as it is sometimes called, because of its associations 
with the early history of Methodism in Savannah. The structure 
itself is comparatively modern; is severely plain on the exterior, 
entirely unornamented, and unpretending in its architectural details. 



4^ Guide to Savannah. 

The interior is neat, and in good taste, corresponding wiih. the sim- 
plicity of the exterior, and breathing, as it were, the inspiration o' the 
inscription over the altar, " HoLiXESS TO THE Lord." It is one of 
the most commodious churches in Savannah, having a seating capacity 
for two thousand in the au'iitorium and galleries. Attached to the 
church is a comfortable and suitable lecture room (two stories high) 
for the prayer-meetings and other social gatherings of the congre- 
gation. 

The Penfield Mariner's Church. 

Taking President street (westward) to Montgomery street, and 
going up it (north) until coming to Franklin Square, the Penfield 
Mariner's Church is found on the west of the square, between 
Congress and St. Julian streets. It is a handsome structure, under 
the direction of the Savannah Port Society, organized in 1S43, f°^' the 
purpose of providing Evangelical ministration and religious instruc- 
tion for sailors visiting the port. Its name ("Penfield") is taken 
from Mr. Joseph Penfield, who bequeathed a sum of money for the 
purpose o erecting a Bethel for mariners. A church was originally 
built on Bay street, between Abercorn and Lincoln streets, which was 
subsequently sold, and the purchase money applied to the erection of 
the present neat edifice. 

First African Baptist Church (Colored). 

West of the same square, and north of the Mariner's Church, 
between St. Julian and Bryan streets, is the First African Baptist 
Church, for colored people, a plain, commodious, neat structure, 
comfortably furnished with:n, and well lighted. It was in this church 
that the Rev. Andrew Marshall, a celebrated colored preacher, minis- 
tered for many years before the civil war, commanding the respect 
and confidence of whites and blacks. Born a slave, and twice sold, 
Mr. Marshall purchased his freedom from his third master and 
became a frtcdman by his own exertions. In the pastorate of this 
cliurch he was earnest, devoted, and intelligent, educating himself, 
and exercising a great moral influence. He possessed great natural 
eloquenCv^ and a cultivation of delivery acquired by association with 
his masters, who were gentlemen of education and refinement. The 
whites went frequentlv to hear him. His funeral (twenty-five years 
ago) was one of the largest and most impressive known to Savannah; 



CkTiDE TO Savannah. 47 

whites and negroes joining to pay the last tribute of respect to the 
memory of a truly good and able man. 

Waterworks. 
While examining the Mariner's and Baptist churches, tiie visitor's 
attention has been attracted by a singular looking tower in ihe center 
of Pranklin Square, in height about eighty feet from the ground. 
This is the tower or distributing reservoir of the waterworks for 
supplying the city with water from the river. The construction of 
the nectssary works for the purpose was begun in the winter of 
1852-3. The water is taken from the river above the city and carried 
into a reservoir (situated on the low lands west of the Ogeechee Canal), 
which is divided into four compartments by walls of masonry, pierced 
by connecting culverts, with strong gates, so that one of the compart- 
ments may be used while the other three are undisturbed for the process 
of sedimentary precipitation; and each comj^artment is connected in 
like manner with the " pump well," from which the water is forced 
up into the distributing reservoir in the city (through iron pipes) by 
means ot powerful steam lift and force pumps. The receiving 
reservoir is about half a mile above the city, and the "lift" of the 
pumps is about one hundred and twenty feet — forty feet to the level 
of the city, and eighty feet from that level to the iron tank at the top 
of the tower. At the time of their construction, the estimated suoply 
to the city was sixty gallon?, />e'r capii'a every twenty-four hours. When 
clear and well iced, it is excellent drinking water. 

Bryan Baptist Church (Colored). 
Going up Bryan sti^eet (west), and crossing West Broad street into 
Vamacraw, we see (between Saint Gaul and Fahm streets) the Bryan 
Baptist Church, for colored people. This is a fine, corner-turreted, 
brick building, not yet rough cast or finished. When it shall be 
completed it will be an ornament to Yamacraw, and especially so if 
the small buildings now pressing upon it could be remo.ed, that the 
edifice may be seen to greater advantage. 

Central Railroad Depot. 
Returning to West Broad street, and going down it, tnere is, at the 
head of Broughton street, a large cotton warehouse, worth cursory 
examination; and continuing on through rows of cotton bales lining 



48 Guide to Savannah. 

the roadway on both sides, we come to New street, at the southwest 
corner of which and West Broad are the freight offices and house of 
the spacious Central Raih-oad depot. These buiklings, with the 
freight yard, are well worth looking at, lor their size, capacity, and 
convenience of arrangements for receiving and forwarding cotton and 
goods. This magnificent railroad was organized in 1835, and begun 
operations in 1836. By the extraordinary energy and business ability 
of its first President, (W. W. Gordon, Esq., a native of Augusta, but 
resident in Savannah, and a graduate of ihe United States Military 
Academy at West Point in the class of 1815,) the road was completed 
to Macon — one hundred and ninety miles — on the 13th of May, 1843, 
through a dense wilderness. The public spirit, enterprise, and energy 
of our people who projected and carried through successfully, and in 
so short a time, such a great undertaking may be estimated when it is 
known that at the time of its inception and during its completion. 
Savannah had not quite ten thousand inhabitants, and Macon a little 
over four thousand ; and that not only had the road to struggle with 
the difficulties of the wilderness, but to contend with the di>courage- 
ments of a doubting public. " There were giants (in Georgia) in 
those days." 

New Street Methodist Churches (Colored). 
In New street ar-e two Methodist churches (for colored people), 
neat, commodious, and comfortable edifices; one of them making 
some pretensions to architectural and art effects, of which a French 
traveler in 1876 (M. Molinari, editor of the Paris JoiiDial des Debats,) 
gives the following description : 

" The ceiling is ornamented with fresco paintings. * * * These 
are, first, the Apostle Wesley, the father of Methodism, and the 
celebrated preacher Richard Allen; then a 'Christ upon the Cross,' 
the 'Last Supper,' and finally an aristocratic looking lady clad in a 
green robe, of which the immense train filled the entire center of the 
ceiling, eclipsing totally Wesley and Richard Allen. This lady is in 
the act of carrying to her lips a large bottle of gin, in spite of the 
earnest remonstrances of a clergyman, placed above the bottle 
without sufficient regard, however, to the rules of aerial perspective 
From the green robe float two ribbons, on which are printed in capital 
letters these two words, ' Degradation, Diunkness.' The skin of the 
ladv is of dazzling whiteness." 



Guide to Savvnnah. 49 

The Cries. 
If the v?.sitor be at all of a nervous temperament, he may be some- 
what startled in the first early morning after his arrival by extra- 
ordirary shrill cries in the street, which may lead him to the suspicion 
that his hotel is on fire, or that there is a conflagration in the neighbor- 
hood, the voices apparently calling " Fire! " There is no cause, how- 
ever, for alarm. These are ordy the street venders of fish, oysters, 
shrunp, vegetables, and fruits, who are crying out their wares to early 
housedvcepers in nasal tones, with twists of words and ear-piercing 
emphasis, and there being such a num' er of them, the sounds become 
strangely confused. The cries are, "Oyster buyers," *' Shrimp buyers," 
"Vegetable buyers," etc., the stress being laid upon the last word, 
"buyers," which, striking so suddenly and sha'ply upon the ear of a 
sleeping stranger, excite — not without cause — apprehensions of fire. 
These cries are easily understood; but what does this fellow mean by 
crying " Pee-wee-chee ? " To the uninitiated it conveys no meaning, 
but to the inhabitant it is an announcement that "sweet potatoes" are 
going by. 



THE SUBURBAN ATTRACTIONS. 

The visitor has seen the prominent objects of interest within the 
city, and we will now point out to him the suburban allurements that 
are worth his attention. For convenient arrangement, we take them 
in alphabetic order. The country around Savannah is beautiful in its 
peculiarities of landscape, composed of forest, swamp, highland and 
lowland, all richly dressed in luxuriant green of many shades, lighted 
here and there with the varied brilliant colors of leaves and flowers. 
It is a flat country — but even plains have their charms — and ours boasts 
of its majestic live oaks, magnolias, towering pines, and an under- 
wood of unsurpassed variety and beauty of foliage. Even the green 
salt marshes, with their clumps of trees in the foreground and rich 
background of primeval forest, furnish pictures of exquisite softness 
and hue, and particularly lovely if seen in the clair obscur of the del- 
icate haze that often tempers our atmosphere. We begin with 

Battery Park. 
Not the least attractive of the many resorts which private enterprise 



53 Guide to Savannapi. 

has created for public amusement is Battery Park, at the preNcnt ter- 
minus of the Barnard and Anderson Street Railway, within the 
suburb known as Brownsville. The park was a happy thought of the 
public spirited gentlemen directing that street railway company, who 
secured, by purchase from the city, this eligible site for their purpose. 
The grounds occupy a portion of an earthwork for a battery thrown 
up duing the late civil war for the defense of Savannah. Upon the 
crest of the earthwork is a neat and substantial pavilion for dancing, 
open and airy, and from which is a pretty view of the surrounding 
landscape. Here picnics and other social parties meet in the warm 
summer weather to inhale the breezes and " wile the happy hour j 
away" in pleasant intercourse and innocent amusements. From 
the observatory surmounting the pavilion, a fine view is had of the 
.surrounding country. Attached to the grounds is a good rifle range 
with the conveniences for target shooting, the targets being in full 
view of the pavilion. The plans for the park have not yet been com- 
pleted, as it was only opened in the summer of 1883, but it is the in- 
tention of its proprietors to make it, in every respect, a charming refuge 
for the citizens of Savannah from the heat of the city in the hot 
months, and a resort, at all seasons, for pleasure-seekers. Street cars 
leave Market Square every eight minutes for the park. 

Bewlie, or Beaulieu. 

A charming spot on the Vernon river, within a short distance of the 
branch track of the Savannah, Skidaway and Seaboard R lilroad to 
Montgomery, and in view of Montgomery. Bewlie was originally a 
plantation of five hundred acres, granted to Wdliam Stephens Presi- 
dent of the Colonial Council, and confirmed by General Ogletho'pe, 
April 19, 1738. Of this place, Mr. Stephens writes on the 21st of 
March, 1739, " that, being called upon to give it a name, he styled it 
' Bewlie,' after a manor of the Duke of Montague in the New Forest, 
because of a fancied resemblance to it, and which (manor in England) 
was anciently called ' Beaulieu,' though now vulgarly termed ' Bewlie ' 
by dropping the ' a ' in the first syllable and the final ' u.' " — Coll. Ga. 
Hist. Soc , Vol. IV., p. 2^0 

With our Beauli.u, or Bewlie, are connected several historical inc - 
dents of our Revolutionary war. On the 12th of December, I77< , 
Colonel Thomas Pinckney, in command of twelve hundred men, sent 



Guide to Savannah. 51 

from the fleet of Count D'Estaing in long lioats, dislodged here a 
British force occupying it, which was followed l^y fre([uent skirmi hes 
between the opposing troops. It is indeed beautifully situated upon 
a bluff, distant about seven miles from the ocean, and is well suited 
for yachting and fishing — fine fish and oysters being within easy reach. 
Several of the citizens of Savannah have cottages here for the sum- 
mer, and some reside at Beaulieu altogether, going and reiurniig 
early to and from their business in Savannah by the trains of the Sa- 
vannah, Skidaway and Seaboard Railroad, which connects, at its 
depot on Anderson street, with the cars of Abercorn and Whitaker 
streets, running thence to Bay street every ten to fifteen minutes. 

BETHESDA. 

Orphan House and Union Society. 
*' Whitefield's Bethesda Orphan House," founded by the Rev. 
George Whit^field in 1740, and in whose behalf he awakened the in- 
terest of the people of two con inents, is ten miles from Savannah, 
situated on a branch of the west fork of Burnside river. Whitefield's 
" Big House " — his " House of Mercy " to many souls — was destroyed 
by lightning just previous to the War of Independence, 1776, and this 
misfortune, together with the bloody struggle between the colonies 
and the mother country, was almost a death-blow to this great charity. 
After various vicissitudes, Bethesda passed into the keeping of a be- 
nevolent association, nearly contemporaneous in its foundation, the 
" Union Society," instituted in 1750, and whose mission had been the 
same — the care of the orphan and destitute. In the year 1855, the 
Union Society moved its wards to Bethesda, having previously erected 
buildings for- their accommodation. The civil war again necessitated 
its temporary abandonment, and it was occupied first by Confederate 
troops, and subsequently by Federal soldiers. With the return of 
peace, the place was again restored to the uses to which it had been 
originally dedicated in the inc piency of the colony. In 1S70, the 
present main budding was begun; but, for the want of funds, it has 
not yet been finished, though used in its incomplete state for the pur- 
poses for which it was intended. 1 his iniilding stands near the site 
of Whitefield's "Big House of Mercy" — a monument to that great 
philanthropist. The tree under which, it is said, Whitefield preached 
to the Indians is still pointed out. 



52 GuiDii TO Savannah, 

There are, at present, between sixty and seventy boys supported 
and educated by the voluntary contributions of the members of the 
Union Society, of which any benevolent })erson, resident or non- 
resident, can become a member and aid in this good work by paying 
an annual subscription of five dollars. Bethesda is reached, like 
BeaulicM, by the Savannah, Skidaway and Seaboard Railroad, on per- 
mission to visit it, to be obtained from any one of the officers. 

The Union Society. 

In Charge of Bethesda. 

In t1ie year 1750, five large-hearted men, of five different religious 
denominations, formed themselves into a charitable club with the par- 
ticular purposes of caring for and maintaining orphan children and 
relieving distressed widows. They styled themselves the " St. George's 
Club," as there was already in existence an association of Scotch em- 
igrants, confined exclusively to Scotchmen. At what time the " St. 
George's Club" was transformed into the " Union Society" does not 
precisely appear, as the records of the Society were destroyed by the 
British troops when they evacuated Savannah in the summer of 1782, 
but it was not long after its origin. The assumption of its new name 
M-as an expression and a proof of a liberality of sentiment and feel- 
ing most honorable to its founders and their early associates, who laid 
aside distinctions of faith when so noble an object for combined efibrt 
was presented, and which would at once test the sincerity of their be- 
nevolence. It IS to be regretted that, owing to the destruction of the 
records, we can give the names of only three of the original five 
members — Benjamin Sheftall, a Jew ; Peter Tondee, a Catholic ; and 
Richard Milledge, an Episcopalian. Each member contributed two 
pence weekly to carry out the objects of the organization. Three 
members formed a quorum for regular meetings, and for the anniver- 
sary celebrations on the 23d of April, the calendar day of the canon- 
ization of England's patron saint — " St. George." 

This last rule saved the Society from extinction in the following 
manner: When Savannah was captured by the B;itish, in December, 
1778, a large number of the citizens — several members of the Union 
Society among them — were arrested and sent on board the prison- 
ships. Some days afterwards, the prisoners holding office in the 
American army were sent on parole to Sunbury, a few miles south of 



Guide to Savannah, 53 

Savannah, on the sea-coast, and ainonf]; these were four members of 
the '' Union Society "—Mordecai Sheftall, John Martin, John Stirk 
and losiah Powell — who were kept there three years, during whicli 
time they held the meetings and observed the anniversaries — Josiali 
Powell having been elected President, Mordecai Sheftall, Vice-Presi- 
dent, and John Martin, Secretary. At the first anniversary, 231! of 
April, 1779, an entertainment was provided for the Society by a num- 
ber of British officers, who participated in it. The toasts and senti- 
ments expressed mark the high-toned, chivalric cour esy of that 
period. The first was, of course, " The Union Society," by the Pres- 
ident ; the second was, " General George Washington," by a British 
officer; the third, " The King of Great Britain," by an American 
officer. 

These gentlemen maintained the existence of the Union Society, 
and, at the close of the Revolutionary war, it was incorporated by the 
new sovereign State of Georgia on the 14th of August, 1786. 

BONAVENTURE. (EVERGREEN CEMETERY.) 

This place, famous for its magnificent avenues of stately live oaks^ 
is a favorite resort for strangers as well as citizens. The sketch 
published below was written by the late Commodore Josiah Tal'.nall, 
a few years before his death, and first appeared in a pamphlet printed 
by the Evergreen Cemetery Company. This gallant hero-sailor sleeps 
beneath the moss- covered branches of the oaks, near tht; spot where 
he was bom. 

** BONAVENTURE. 

"The beautiful tract of land bearing this name, and now enclosing 
the Evergreen Cemetery, was first settled in or about the year 1760 by 
Colonel John Mulryne, who came to this country from England, and 
removed from Charleston, South Carolina, to Georgia. 

"The high ground, an extended river view, etc , made it one of the 
choicest sites near the city of Savannah, and the first house — a large 
bnck one — was erected at (hat time, facing the center walk of the old 
garden. This garden extended in terraces from the plateau to the 
river, the terraces being supported I y blocks of tal)by (a concrete of 
shell and lime), tliat yet remain in tolerable preservation. This house 
was destroyed by fire in the latter part of the la>t century, during a 
dinner entertainment. The roof taking fire first, all hope of saving 



54 Guide to Savannah. 

the building was soon dismissed, but, at the suggestion of its owner, 
the dinner was removed to the trees, and there finished. 

" In 1 761, this property came — by the marriage of Josiah Tattnall, 
of Charleston, South Carolina, with Mary, the daughter of Colonel 
John Mulryne — into the possession of the Tattnall family, Governor 
Tattnall (of Georgia) being born there in 1765. 

"This marriage is of peculiar interest in the history of Bonaventure, 
since from it date the avenues of magnificent trees which form the 
pride and chief feature of interest of the place. They were planted 
about tljat time, and tradition has it, in the forms of the letters M and 
T, the initials of the families of Mulryne and Tattnall. The majority 
of these trees were of the live oak species, others being mingled with 
them. These latter the hand of time and the gales of the Atlantic 
have long ago laid low, whilst tlie sturdy live oaks, with their hoary 
heads of moss, still defy the wintry blasts, and their rustling leaves 
whisper a ceaseless lullaby over the quiet and peaceful sleepers a^ 
their feet. 

"A second (and frame) house — built by Governor Tattnall — was 
also destroyed by fire. This second house stood in the open space in 
the rear of the site occupied by the first brick house, and its location 
is marked by a large cedar tree, nourished by the ashes of the burnt 
hearth. The front of this house was formerly marked by two very 
old and large palmetto trees. 

"In the year 1847, this property passed (by purchase) into the 
hands of Captain P. Wiltburger, who had long associated the quiet 
and peace of the place, its patriarch trees, and their deep, solemn 
shade, its calm and seclusion, as a fit receptacle for the departed of 
this earth, as a resting pbce for the weary pilgrims of life. With him 
originated the idea of devoting Bonaventure to its present and final 
use, and his remains sleep under the foliage of its trees. 

"Circum.stances prevented for a time the execution of this wish, but 
it was taken up by his son, Major W. H. Wiltburger, and the forma- 
tion of the present Evergreen Cemete'y Company (in 1S69) was the 
result of his efforts. In this connection it may be interesting to notice 
that the first adult buried at Bonaventure was the wife of Governor 
Tattnall, who died there in 1803, being soon followed to the grave by 
her honored husliand. Previous to that time, several children of the 
family had been buried there. 



Guide to Savannah. 55 

"Amongst the historical incidents of tlie plcice, is the I'escue of 
Governor Wriglit by Colonel Mulryne durin^j the K evolutionary war. 
Colonel Mulryne, a staunch Whig, disapproved of the Declar tion of 
Independence, and when tiie Patriots confined Governor Wright in 
Savannah, Colonel Mulryne hastenecf to his rescue, and conveyed him 
to I3onaventure until the Governor could be placed on board an 
English man-of-war, lying in the river. Colonel Mulryne left the 
country with the Governor, and died at Nassau, New Providence. 

"It is also historic that the French, after their unsuccessful attack 
on Savannah, fell back to Bonaventure, and tlience reeinbarked many 
of their wounded, burying a number of their dead on the place." 

Isi E OF Hope. 

This pleasant seacoast village and delightful resort is the terminus 
of the main line of the Savannah, Skidaway and Seabf)ard Railroad, 
and is on the Skidaway river, six and a half miles from Savannah. 
Its early settlement dates back to about the year 1737. Henry Parker, 
John Fullafield and Noble Jones were the first settlers and proprietors, 
ihe last of whom (Mr. Jones) had a fine residence at the south end, 
known as "Wormsloe," of which the ruins can yet be seen. The 
island is in the f >rm of a horseshoe, and from any prominent position 
on its blufif, over-looking the river, a good view of the surrouiiding 
country may be had. Previous to the civil war, the only communication 
between the Isle of Hope and Savannah was by a dirt road, through 
the intervening forests, but the construction of the Savannah, Skida- 
way and Seabord Railroad has brought the two places into intimate 
communication, to the advantage of both. The village has, conse- 
quently, greatly improved, and many neat cottages and more preten- 
tious residences have been built for the accommodation of those who 
like the variety of a brief sojourn on the "salts" (salt-water streams) 
during the summer months. The waters in the immediate vicinity 
abound in fish, crabs and oysters. It is one of the most healthy 
resorts on the coast, and easy of access. The railroad depot in 
Savannah is the same as for Beaulieu and Bethesda, at the intersection 
of Anderson and Whitaker streets, connecting with die Abercorn and 
Whitaker street cars. 

Jas >ER Spring. 

On the Augusta road, two miles from the city, is the spot where 



56 Guide to Savannah. 

Sei-geant Jasper and his companion (Newton) rescued the American 
prisoners from a British guard. (See page 2S). It is visited for its 
historic association with that daring act of gallantry. A sketch of 
Jasper will be found under the heading of the "Jasper Monument." 

Laurel Grove Cemetery. 

This beautiful "resting place of the dead," while not so grandly 
magnificent as Bonaventure, is, nevertheless, especially attractive ;ind 
peculiarly interesting to the citizens of Savannah and to strangers 
visiting the city. An ordinance adopted in June, 1852, by the City 
Council set apart a tract of land in Springfield Plantation as a public 
'cemetery, and conferred upon it the title of " Laurel Grove," because 
of the number of laurel trees it contained. The cemetery was 
enclosed by a neat rading connecting with granite pillars at the 
corners, and the interior was laid off in walks, avenues and burial lots, 
according to a plan furnished by James O. Morse, civil engineer. 
The establishment of this cemetery was rendered necessary by the 
crowded condition of the old one on South Broad street, wdiich had 
been used as a place of sepulture for over a century. Laurel Grove is 
beautifully situated on the high ground bordering the Springfield 
Plantation, with a gradual slope Avestvvard, affording natural advan- 
tige of drainage, which keeps it at all times dry. The ground is 
covered witi native forest growth, interspersed with exotic trees, 
shrubbery, and flowering plants, set out from time to time, and which 
give adornment and variety, with harmonious concords or pleasing 
contrasts, to a very charming picture, particularly in the seasons of 
deep foliage, of Spring and Summer. About the center of the 
cemetery is a natural depression that, with a little expense, might be 
made into a lake, which, with rustic bridges of pretty design, 
would add much to the beauty of the grounds. The cemetery was 
formally dedicated in November, 1852. The first interment was made 
in October, 1 852. Besides the many beautiful and artistic monuments 
and tombs which mark the family graves of loved ones, there is an 
enclosure in the cemetery that attracts attention — the lots in which 
are deposited the remains of the Confederate dead. Here repose 
nearly fifteen hundred heroes of the civil war, who have been gathered 
from the distant battlefields on wliich they fell, and had a soldier's 
burial. This noble work was accomplished by the " Ladies' Memorial 



Guide to Savannah. 57 

Association of Snvannah," which, with sacred care, has watched over 
tlieir graves, and, on each recuriing "Memorial Day," decorates 
them with the bright flowers of Spring and early Summer. A m.irble 
statue, representing "Silence," which was originally one of the 
staiucs of the Confederate Monument in the Park Extension (see 
page 34), keeps guard over this "bivouac of the heroic dead" in 
eloquent and expressive attitude. Each grave is marked by a neat 
marble headstone. The cemetery is easily reached by the Barnard and 
Anderson street cars from its terminus at the market, corner of 
Barnard and Congress streets, and thoSe of Whitaker and Abercorn 
streets. 

Montgomery. 

This is another of Savannah's delightful resorts, distant from it ten 
miles, and is the terminus of a branch of the Savannah, vSkidavvay 
and Seaboard Railroad, It was settled in the year 1801, and has 
grown to be a pleasant little village. Its healthfulness and beautiful 
natural surroundings have made it the favorite resort for our own 
citizens and for strangers sojourning among us. It is the headquar- 
ters of the " Regatta Association of Georgia," and the spacious 
waters of Vernon river, on which it is situated, in full view of the 
ocean, have been the scene of many exciting contests between the 
swift-sailing craft of the amateur yachtinen of the Atlantic Southern 
States. Charming groves of grand old oaks afford delicious shade, in 
which the sea-breezes that sweep in purity over Ossabaw sound may 
be thoroughly enjoyed. A number of commodious residences have 
been erected, and a convenient hotel offers comfortable quarters to 
the visitor for health or pleasure. 

The Regatta Association has here a snug club house on the river 
bank, and along the bluff is an avenue of oaks affordnig a delightful 
promenade. The woods in the background are filled with the odor- 
ous jasmine and other semi-tropical wild flowers common to the sea- 
coast of Georgia. 

ScHUETZEN Park. 

Our German fellow-citizens, whose delight in out-door recreations 
is one of their characteristics, have prepared this pleasant p ace for 
anuisenient, which has become exceedingly popular with all classes of 
our people. The park is situated on Warsaw or Thunderbolt river. 



SS Guide to SyVVANNAH. 

about three miles from the city, and immediately east of Bonaventure. 
It 13 reached i^y tlie trains of the Coastline Railroad, a branch of 
\vhich, deflecting at Bonaventure (or by the highway on which is a 
line shelled road), takes the visitor in a few minutes to the park. 
It occupies a commanding bluff overlooking the broad river, which is 
at this point a bold and wide estuary, the view from the bluff taking 
in both Bonaventure and Thunderbolt below on the same river. The 
grounds arc attractively laid out, and contain all the necessary acces- 
sories of a place for public resort and amusement — such as a capa- 
cious dancing pavilion, accommodating a thousand dancers, rifle 
rraiges, swings, ten-pin alleys, saloon, and a convenient dwelling in 
the center of the grounds. It is the headquarters of the Schuetzen 
and other German organizations, and the scene of their out-door 
sports and recreations. The annual " Schuetzen Fest," which is looked 
ior by ail classes with pleasurable anticipations, is held here, and at- 
tracts interested visitors from all parts of the country. Should the 
visitor pi-efer a drive to this place, a smooth shell road, over which he 
can bowl at the rate of 2:40, will soon take him to the Schuetzen 
Park. 

Thunderbolt. 

Another pleasant seaside attraction, deservedly popular with the 
citizens of Savannah and strangers, is situated on the branch of the 
Warsaw river, about iour miles from the city. It is reached by the 
Coastline Railroad, of which it is the terminus, or by the shell road. 
ft is a small village, and its nearness to Savannah, with its ready ac- 
cess, has made it the pa7' excellence popular resort. There is nothing 
peculiatly striking about this place other than its invigorating sea- 
breezes, fine oaks, delightful shade, good salt-bathing, excellent fish 
and oysters. It is the main source of the supply of fish and oysters 
for the Savannah market, and the river is filled with crafts of various 
rig, sizes and seaworthines-, from the frail dugout or board batteau to 
the good-sized smack, doing prosperous business in oysters, fish, crabs 
and shrimp. According to local tradition, the place received its name 
from the fall of a thunderbolt and the gushing forth of a spring from 
the spot where the bolt struck. Whetfier this tradition be founded on 
fact or not, it is nevertheless believed to be true, and the spring is 
pointed out with faith and pride by the old inhabitants as the Thun- 
derbolt Spring. Every afternoon, in spring and summer, the well- 



Guide to Savaxnah. 59 

kept shell road is thronged with line turnouts, fast trotters and old 
family coaches going to or returning from Thunderbolt. 

Tybice Island. 

Within the past few years this ocean- waslied island (at the entrance 
of tlie Savann 'h Harbor) has been made a fashionable watering place 
for the people of Georgia and vicin ty. It is one of the chain of 
islands extending along the sea coast from Charleston, South Carolina, 
to Femandina, Flodda,iud on its lovely beach, four miles long, the 
waves of the Atlantic roll up in gentle surf, inviting to safe and 
delightful bathing. The north end (on which is the light house) 
forms the head-land of the entrance to the secure inner roadstead of 
the Savannah river. From its convenient geographical relation to the 
other American Atlantic seaports, ami with its telegraphic connections, 
Tybee is peculiarly fitted for a "calling station," an American 
Queenstown, for vessels seeking for orders or freights, or to communi- 
cate with owners and agents. The roadstead is known to the marine 
of all nations, as affording secure anchorage and shelter in stormy 
weather. Near the light house the government has also a signal 
station, communicating with Savannah by telegraph and telephone. 
To the visitor, the principal attraction is the fine beach, with its 
advantages for dipping into the sea. In the past four years many 
improvements have been made to meet the wants of the thousands 
■who visit the island in hummer, and there now are to be found the 
comforts and conveniences for he^-lth and pleasure of a fashionable 
watering place, such as comfortable hotels and boarding houses on 
the front beach, in immediate sight of the ocean. Handsome private 
residences and coltages in addition give tlie place the appearance of a 
first-class seaside village. Frequent excursions from the interior, and 
daily parties from the city, impart to Tybee in vSummer a lively, 
respectable an 1 genteel tone. Fast and commodious steamers ply, at 
convenient hours, between it and Savannah, connecting with the 
tramway to the front beach. A neat free chapel between the front 
and back beaches is on the line of the tramway, the pulpit being 
occupied by one or another of the Savannah clergy every Sunday. 
Tybee Island is noted in American history as the scene of the first 
capture of a British vessel by an American commissioned man-of-war 
at the commencement of our Revolutionary struggle. In the Sprmg 



6j Guide to Savannah. 

of 1775, a ship sailed from London with powder for the use of the 
Royalists at Savannah. Forty armed men were sent in barges by 
Carolina to intercept her. A British armed schooner arrived at Tybee 
to protect the powder s dp on her arrival, and cover the delivery of the 
cargo. ihe Provincial Congress of Georgia, hearing of these move- 
ments, armed a schooner, and, commissioning her, put her under 
command of Captains Bowen and Joseph Habersham, with instruc- 
tions to run off or capture the British armed vessel. On the approach 
of the American schooner, the British schooner stood out to sea, and 
the American lay off Tybee. On the loth of July, 1775, the powder 
ship appeared in the offing, but suspicions being excited on board, her 
captain (Ma.tland) tacked and put to sea again. The American 
schooner pursued, and, with the aid of the South Carolina barges, 
captured her and secured sixteen thousand pounds of po^vder, nine 
thousand pounds of which fell to the share of Georgia; five thousand 
pounds of this powder were sent to the Patriots near Boston, Massa- 
ciuisetts. 

Fort Jackson. 
In going to Tybee, the visitor passes Fort Jackson, about three 
miles below the city, on the south side of the river, one of the fortifi- 
cations planned by the United States government for the defense of 
^ avannah. It is a small work, projected in l8o§, and used during 
the war of 181 2-15, since which time it has been rebuilt, and has 
become an important element in the river defense of Savannah. It 
was named after Governor James Jackson, of Georgia. 

Fort Pulaski. 

Further down the river, on the way to Tybee, is Fort Pulaski, on 
the northeastern point of Cockspur Island, iourteen miles from 
Savannah, and sweeping with its guns Tybee Island and the inner 
roadstead. This is the most important defense of the city against 
hostile approach oy sea, commanding, as it does, tlie mouth of the 
Savannah river. The site for it was selected by Major Bibcock, of 
the United States Engineer Corps, about 1827-8, and work was begun 
upon it by Captain Mansfield, United .States Engineers, in 1831. 
Originally, the plan cal ed for an armament of one hundred and forty 
guns (mostly long 32'sj, but the works are now being remodeled and 
strengthened to contend with the improved ordnance of the day, as 



Guide to Savannah. 6i 

developed by its trial during the civil war. It had never been occupied 
by troops before January 2d, 1 861, when Governor Brown, of Georgia, 
took possession of it (in the name of the United States) to prevent its 
occupation by a mob from the city of Savannah, excited by the strong 
political passions of that period. On the secession of Georgia (soon 
after), Governor Brown retained Fort Pulaski, and seized For^ 
Jackson and Oglethorpe Barracks (in the city) in the name of the 
State of Georgia, At the time. Fort Pulaski contained only twenty 
long 32's mounted. Twenty-eight more guns (including a few eight 
and ten-inch Columbiads) were added by the Confederacy, and the 
fort was put in as good condition as the limited means of the State of 
Georgia and of the Confederacy permitted. Early in 1862, the United 
States troops landed upon Tybee Island, and investing Fort Pulaski 
upon its east and south faces, made its reduction a mere question of 
time, the river having been rendered impassable by United States 
vessels and batteries above the fort, intercepting communication be- 
tween it and tlie city of Savannah, by the loth of April, the United 
States forces on Tybee had erected (in circumvallation) eleven land bat- 
teries, extending two thousand five hundred and fifty yards, with thirty- 
six heavy guns, ten heavy rifled cannon, and a number of mortars in 
position. On the loth of April, everything being ready for opening 
fire, a demand for the surrender of Pulaski was made by the officer in 
command on Tybee, General David Hunter, which was declined by 
the commander of the fort. Colonel C. H. Olmstead. Immediately 
fire was opened from Tybee. The fort replied, but not having been 
constructed to resist the battering of the newly invented heavy 
ordnaHH^^^^lit to bear upon it, was soon breached and reduced, 
compelTin^^^ffenc!er on the next afternoon, the nth of A.pril, after a 
gallant but ineffectual resistance. Fo:t Jackson and Oglethorpe 
Barracks were retaken by General Sherman on the evacuation of 
Savannah by the Confederate troops in December, 1864. 

The growing importance of Savannah as a commercial center 
necessitates now a stronger and more thorough system of seacoast 
defense, and it is in contemplation to erect heavy works on Tybee, 
and water batteries at other points, which (in the eveiit of a foreign 
war) will, with the addition of a naval force and temporary earth- 
works, effectively prevent attack through the inlets of the chain of 
islands covering the coast from Charleston to Fernandina. 



^2 Guide to Savannah. 

The Mnrtello tower of labby (shell, lime and sand) on Tybee was 
buih at the commencement of the war of 1S12-15 as a part of the 
hasty and imperfect system of defense a^-ainst the British, and affords 
a oood standard by which t) measure the improvements in ordnance 
<lunny the jiast seventy years. 

In Colonial times a mud fort was erected on Cockspur Island, near 
the site of Fort Pulaski, named " fort George," as appears by Colonial 
records. In 1765, A. D., the famous "Stamp Act" was passed by 
the British I'arliament, which tired the hearts of the " Sons of Liberty" 
in the American colonies. In 1766, His iMajcsty's ship "Speedwell" 
arrived in the Savannah river with stamps for Georgia. The " Liberty 
Boys" assembled threateningly, and Governor Wright had the stamps 
removed to " Fort George," on Cockspur Island, where they were 
inotected by a captain, two subalterns and fifty men. The obnoxious 
act was repealed the same year; but other aggressions soon excited 
the colonies again, and Governor Wright reported to the home 
government on the 20th of September, 1773, the defenseless condition 
of Georgia. In his report, he writes thus of Fort George: "Fort 
George, on Cockspur Island, which was built in 1762 of mud, faced 
with palmetto logs, with a caponiere inside to serve for officer's 
quarters, is ahiiost in ruins, and garrisoned by an officer and three 
men, just to make signals," etc. At the inception of the Revolutionary 
war, the coast defenses of Georgia were in a most pitiable and 
dilapidated condition; all the forts were in ruins, or nearly so. In 
hi> official report to General Washington, in February, 1776, Colonel 
Mcintosh, who had been assigned to the command of the Georgia 
Colonial troops, makes no mention of Fort George or other fortifica- 
tions at Savannah. And on the 5th of July, 1776, the Congress of the 
Confederation resolved that Georgia should erect two forts — one at 
Savannah, and one at Sunbury. It is also evident from history that 
no occupied fort existed on Cockspur Island during the Revolutionary 
Mar, as it records, frequently, the free passage up the river to 
Brewton's Hill, two miles below Savannah. Again, the fort ordered 
for Sunbury was built, and named " Fort Morris," after the officer 
who built it; but on its capture by Sir George Prevost, January 16, 
1779, he changed the name to "Fort George," which he would not 
have done had there been a fort of that name in existence so near as 
Cocksjiur Island. 



Guide to vSavannaii. O3 

MISCET-T.ANEOUS. 

IJANKS. 

Central Railroad and Banking Company of Georgia, 1 15 "Day street, 
adjoining the Custom House. 

Mercliants' National Bank, St. Julian street, northeast corner of 
Drayton. 

Savannah Bank and Trust Company, 105 Bay street, Battersby's 
building, southwest corner of Drayton. 

Southern B.mk of the State of Georgia, Drayton street, northwest 
corner of Bryan. 

Board of Underwriters. 

Office of R. H. Footman, Bay street, northwest corner of Drayton. 

Cemeteries. 

Cathedral Cemetery, Thunderbolt road, two miles from city ; 
reached by shell road or by Coastline Railroad, connecting at Bolton 
street with Habersham and Broughton street cars. 

Evergreen Cemetery, Bonaventure (see p. 53) ; office, 93 Bay street. 

Hebrew Cemetery, Anderson street, west end, adjoining Laurel 
(jrove Cemetery; reached by Anderson, Barnard, Whitaker and A. - 
ercorn street cars. 

Laurel Grove Cemetery, Anderson street, west end. (S^e p. 56.) 

Old Cemetery, South Broad street, corn.r of Abercorn. (See p. 39.) 

Christian Association. 

Young Men's Christian Association, rooms 137 Perry street, be- 
tween Bull and Whitaker. 

Churches. 

Baptist, west side Chippewa Square, between Hull and McDon- 
ough. (See p. 26.) 

Bethlehem Colored Baptist, north side of New Houston street, 
west of Cuyler. 

Bryan First Baptist (colored), south side of Bryan street. (See p. 

47) 

First Church, Baptist (colored), southwest corner of Bryan and 

ISIonigomery, west of Franklin Square. (See p. 46.) 



64 Guide to Savannah. 

Mount Zion Clmrcli, Bapfist (colored), east side West Broad street, 
south of Gaslon. 

Second Bryan Church, Baptist (colored), northeast corner of West 
Broad and Waldburg. 
-.' Second Church, Baptist (colored), 35 Houston street. 

Congregational Chu ch (colore .), south side of Taylor street, be- 
tween Habersham and Lincoln. 

Christ Church, Episcopal, east side of Johnson Square, between St. 
Julian and Congress streets. (See p 21.) 

Saint John's Church, Episcopal, west side Madison Square, between 
Macon and Charlton streets. (See p. 29.) 

Saint Matthew's Church, Episcopal, northeast corner of Hunting- 
don and Tattnall streets. 

Saint Stephen's, Episcopal (colored), west side of Troup Square, 
between Harris and Macon streets. (See p. 41.) 

Lutheran Evangelical Church of the Ascension, east side Wriglit 
Square, between State and President streets. (See p. 23.) 

Methodist, New Houston Street Church, southeast corner of New 
Houston and Jefferson streets. 

Trinity Methodist, west side of Saint James Square, between Pres- 
ident and York streets. (See p. 45.) 

Wesley Monumental Church, Methodist, Avest side of Calhoun 
Square, between Wayne and Gordon streets. (See p. 41.) 

Asbury Church, Methodist (colored), south side of Gwinnett, be- 
tween West Broad and Burroughs. 

Bethlehem Church, Methodist (colored), east side of East Broad 
street, south of Gwinnett. 

Saint Andrew's Church, Methodist (colored), north side of New 
street, east of Fahm. (See p. 48.) 

Saint James' Church, Methodist (colored), corner of Randolph and 
Perry streets. 

Saint Philip's Church, Methodist (colored), north side of New 
street, east of Fahm. (See p. 48.) 

Presbyterian, Anderson Street Church, southeast corner of Ander- 
son and Barnard streets. 

First Presbyterian, east side Monterey Square, between Taylor and 
Wayne streets. (See p. 32.) 



Guide to Savannah. 65 - 

Independent Presbyterian, southwest corner of Bull and South 
Broad streets. (See p. 24.) 

Presbyterian IMission (colored), West Broad street, opposite Gaston. 

R. C. Cathedral of our. Lady of Perpetual Help, northeast corner 
of Abercorn and Harris streets. (See p. 40.) 

R. C. Saint Patrick's Church, southeast corner of Liberty and West 
Broad streets. The old temporary structure has been pulled down to 
make way for a fine church now in process of construction. 

R. C. Saint Joseph's Church (colored), northeast corner of Dray- 
ton and Perry streets. (See p. 42.) 

Swedenborgian First New Church Society — no settled position, but 
in hired halls. 

Synagogue B'Nai Brith Jacob, northeast corner of State and Mont- 
gomery streets. 

Synagogue Mikva Israel, east side of Monterey Square, between 
W'ayne and Gordcjn streets. (See p. 52.) 

Charitable Asylums and Societies. 

Abram's Home for Destitute Widows, corner of East Broad and 
Broughton streets. 

Bethesda, for boys. (See p. 51.) 

Catholic Female Orphanage, in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, 
White Bluff. 

Episcopal Female Orphans' Home, southwest corner of Liberty and 
Jefferson stree s. 

General Female Orphan Asylum, southeast corner of Bull and 
Charlton streets. (See p. 29.) 

Hebrew Benevolent Association meets at private houses. 

Industrial Relief Society and Home for the Friendless, southwest 
corner of Charlton and Drayton streets. 

Georgia Infirmary for Colored People, east of White Bluff road, 
near the toll-gate. 

Minnie Mission House for Fallen Women, southwest corner of 
Jones and Lincoln streets. 

Savannah Hospital, Huntingdon street, between Abercorn and 
Drayton. (See p. 35.) 

Saint Joseph's Infirmary, northwest corner of Habersham and Tay- 
lor streets. (See p. 41.) 



66 Guide to vSavannah. 

Ladies' German Benevolent Society meets at private houses. 

Saint Andrew's Society meets at Metropolitan Hall. 

Saint George's Society meets at Metropolitan Hall, 

Hibernian Society. 
i German Friendly Society. 
^ Irish Union Society. 

Joseph I>odge, No. 76, I. O. B. B, 
■ Masonic Lodges. (See p. 42.) 

Oglethorpe Lodge, T. O. O. F., instituted 1842, DeRenne's build- 
ing, northeast orner of Bull and Broughton streets. 

Live Oak Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F,, instituted 1843, DeRenne's 
building. 

Magnolia Encampment, I. O. O. F., instituted 1845, DeRenne's 
building. 

DeKalb Lodge, L O. O. F., instituted 1845, DeRenne's building. 

Wiklney Degree Lodge, I. O. O. F., instituted 1867, DeRenne's 
building. 

Haupt Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F., instituted 1869, DeRenne's 
building. 

Medical Society, chartered December 12, 1854, meets at members' 
houses. 

Metropolitan Benevolent Society, northeast corner of President and 
Whitaker streets 

Benedictine Monastery of the Sacred Heart, a R. C. mission for 
colored people, northwest corner of Habersham and Saint Paul streets. 

R. C. Benedictine Mission for Colored People, on Skidaway 
Island; reached by the Isle of Hope trains. 

Cotton Exchange. 
Organized 1872, No. 97 Bay street. 

Cotton Press Association and Presses. 

Office 96 Bay street; controls the following cotton presses: Tyler, 
River street, foot of Randolph; Lamar, River str«.el, near foot of 
Randolph ; Lower Hydraulic, River street, foot of Randolph ; Upper 
Hydraulic, River stieet, foot of Montgomery; Gordon Cotton Press, 
Central Railroad wharves; Central Cotton Press, Canal street, west of 
Fahm. 



Guide to Savannah. 67 

Consulates. 
Argentine Republic, 62 Bay street. 
Belgium, 98 Bay street. 
Brazil, 126 Bay street. 
British, 89 Bay street. 
Danish, 130 Bay street. 

French, south side New Houston, first west of Whitaker. 
German, 122 Bay street. 
Italian, 62 Bay street. 
Netherlands, 84 Bay street. 
Peru, 62 Bay street. 
Portugal, 62 Bay street. 
Russia, 126 Bay street. 
Spain, 136 Bay street. 
Sweden and Norway, 130 Bay street. 
Venezuela, 62 Bay street. 

Newspapers. 
Savannah Morning News (Democratic), 3 Whitaker street. (See 

P- 43-) 

Savannah Weekly News (Democratic), 3 Whitaker street. 

Ahend Zeitung (Conservative), 161 Bay street. 

Daily Evening Recorder (Independent), 161 Bay street. 

Southern Farmer's Monthly, 3 Whitaker street ; devoted to farmers' 
interests. 

Southern Musical Journal, between Congress and St. Julian streets, 
on Whitaker. 

Sunday Telegram, 3 Whitaker street. 

Police. 
Savannah is justly proud of her police force. A finer, more intel- 
ligent, better disciplined and uniformed police is not to be found in 
any city of the Old or the New World. Many of the men were sol- 
diers in the civil war. The organization is military, with Captain, 
Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals and privates, and is drilled to the 
use of musket and bayonet, as well as to the baton and revolver. En- 
listments are made with care as to character and trustworthiness, so 
that we can safely recommend strangers to appeal unhesitatingly to 
our policemen for information or assistance when needed. (See p. 39.) 



68 Guide to Savannah. 

Board of Health, 
under the control and management of the Chief of Police, and super- 
vised by the Saiii ary Commission. The police force constitutes the 
board ; each member having a district to attend to, and being 
responsible for the condition of it. 

Sanitary Commission, 
composed of the Mayor, the Healtli Otticer, and five Aldermen. 

Drainage Commission, 

composed of seven citizens (medical men and others), to superintend 
the drainage in and around the city. 

Educational. 
The civil war broke up the private academies in Savannah, and 
after the war the uncertain condition and prospects of the people 
compelled a general reliance upon the common-school system. In 
consequence, parents desiring thorough education for their children 
are constrained to send them to the schools of Tennessee, Virginia, 
Maryland, or the North. Herp, then, is an excellent opening — now 
that peace and prosperity have returned to us — for the highest order 
of academies. The Sisters of Mercy have (at the convent) an institution 
for girls, " the Academy of Saint Vincent," patronized by the Catholics. 
The Board of Education, vinder the astute management of the late 
Dr. R. D. Arnold, M. D. (its President at the time), happily accom- 
modated the vexed question between Catholics and Protestants in the 
common schools by assigning separate school buildings to the 
Catholics, where — under teachers, nominated by themselves and con- 
firmed by the board, on passing a required examination — they can 
train their children according to their ideas of education, which 
includes religious and moral cultivation, as well as mental and 
physical training. The adjustment works harmoniously, and is satis- 
factory to both parties, preserving in the hands of the board the man- 
agement of the small school fund, and applying it judiciously /;'<? rata, 
and in the maintenance of one uniform system, as follows : ^ Boys' 
High School, Chatham Academy; Girls' High School, Cha'ham 
Academy; Academ.y District School; Barnard Street School; 
Cathedral Grammar School, Catholic; Massic District School; Saint 
Patrick's School (Catholic) ; and, for the colored people, Fairlawn 



Guide to Savannah. 69 

School; West Broad Street School. To these, in addition, are the 
Beach Institute, for negroes, under the care and control of the Amer- 
ican Missionary Society ; the Saint Joseph's Academy, under control 
of the Sisters of Mercy; and the Benedictine Mission School for the 
colored race. 

McCarthy'? Business College is devoted to penmanship and business 
education; and Mallette's Vocal Academy to vocal music. 

Libraries. 

Georgia Historical Society, (See page 35.) 
Catholic Library Association, 

Youth's Historical Society, Whitaker street, northeast corner of 
Liberty. 

Clubs. 

Savannah Tocky Chib, 

John T. Ford Amateur Dramatic Association. 

Amateur Musical Association. 

Rice Planters' Association, 86 Bay street. 

Rifle Club. 

Bartow Social Club, southwest corner of Abercorn and South Broad 
streets. 

E. M. P, I. Social Club, Mozart Hall, northwest corner of Whitaker 
and St. Julian streets. 

Harmonic Club, northeast corner of Bull and Jones streets. (See 
page 30.) 

Oglethorpe Club, northeast corner of Bull and Broughton streets. 

Savannah Turn Verein, 1S7 Broughton street. 

Young America Social Club, 129 Bay street. 

Incorporated Companies. 

Agricultural and ^Mechanical Association of Georgia fair grounds 
on Augusta road, two miles from Savannah; known also as the Ten 
Broeck race course. 

Gordon Cotton Press. 

Gas Light Company, office in the Exchange, Bay sti^eet, opposite 
Bull. 

Improved Gas Light, 93 Bay street. 

Ocean Steamship Company, in the Exchange, Bay street, opposite 
Bull. 



^o Guide to Savannah. 

Railroads and Depots. 

Central Railroad of Georgia, to Macon and the West, depot West 
Broad street, opposite Liberty. 

Savannah and Charleston Railway, depot south side of Liberty, on 
East Broad street. 

Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, depot southeast corner of 
Liberty and East Broad streets. 

Coast Line Railroad, connecting with the Habersham and Brough- 
ton streets cars, Bolton street, east of Habersham. 

Savannah, Skidaway and Seaboard Railroad, connecting with the 
Abercorn and Whitaker streets cars; depot southeast corner of Ander- 
son and Whitaker streets. 

Barnard and Anderson Street Railroad, running to Laurel Grove 
and Batteiy Park; city terminus at the Market, corner of Barnard and 
Congress streets. 

Rates of Porterage. 

Omnibus fare, fifty cents per head. 

Trunks of travelers, two and a half feet long, twenty-five cents 
each. 

Valises, ten cents each. 

Carpet bags, ten cents each. 

Race Tracks. 

Te7i Broeck Race Course. — This celebrated course is at the fair 
grounds of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Georgia, 
two and a half miles from the city, on the Central Railroad and 
Augusta dirt road. It is a mile track, and over it have run the most 
famous racers in the United States. The Savannah Jockey Club 
holds its annual meetings on this course in the month of January in 
each year. 

Thunderbolt Race Track. — A half-mile trotting course is, as its 
name indicates, at Thunderbolt, (see page 58), three miles from the 
city. 

Rice Mills. 

The Upper Rice Mills, Canal street, near Fahm. 

The Planters' Rice Mill, Canal street, near Ann; elevators on the 
river front. 

The Savannah Rice Mill, River street, East Broad street bluff. 



Guide to Savannah. 71 

Steamship Lines. 

Savannah is particularly well provided with first-class steamers to all 
of the Atlantic seaports; commodious, comfortable, safe vessels, and 
running with regularity and punctuality, under experienced, careful 
and gentlemanly captains and officers. 

Baltimore, Merchants' and Miners' Transportation Company; 
thiough bills of lading to all points West, to the manufacturing towns 
of New England, and to Liverpool and Bremen; passenger tickets to 
Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago, and all points West and Northwest; 
office, 114 Bay street, 

Boston and Savannah Steamship Line; through bills of lading to 
New England manufacturing centers, to Liverpool and Bremen; con- 
nect at their wharf with all railroads leading out of Boston; office, 78 
Bay street. 

New York and Savannah, Ocean Steamship Company; through b:lls 
of lading to Eastern and Northwestern points, and to ports of the 
United Kingdom and the Continent; office. City Exchange building, 
Bay street. 

Philadelphia, Ocean Steamship Company; through bills of lading to 
all points East and West, and to Liverpool and Antwerp; office, 
Exchange building. 

Savannah and Augusta and way landings, two lines; offices at no 
Bay street, and on Pardel ford's wharf. To the traveler who is in no 
particular hurry, and is fond of the study of scenery, a trip up or down 
the Savannah river is worth making ; the boats are comfortable. 

Savannah and Florida Sea Island Route, to Jacksonville. This is 
a delightful sail through the inland water courses, connecting at 
Fernandina with rail for Jacksonville. Office, corner Drayton street 
and Bay Lane. 

Savannah, Charleston and Florida Steam Packet Line, connecting 
with Charleston, Fernandina, Jacksonville, Palatka and intermediate 
landings on the St. Johns river. Route, outside by sea from Charles- 
ton to Savannah, to Fernandina, to Jacksonville, and return in same 
manner. Office, DeRenne's wharves, foot of Abercorn street. 

Savannah regular line to St. Catherine's, Doboy, Union Island, 
Darien, St. Simon's, Brun.Twick, and landings on Satilla river; office^ 
Padel ford's wharf. 



72 Guide to Savannah. 

Telegraph Companies. 
Tybee Telegraph Company; office, 3 Bull street. 
Western Union Telegraph Company; connects with all the world 
wherever there is a telegraph line; 3 Bull street. 

Express Companies. 

Southern Express Company; 107 Bay street, between Bull and 
Drayton streets. 

Fire Department. 

Savannah has always had an efficient fire department, but none 
equal in organization and material to the present, which consists of 
four steamers, one hook and ladder truck, and five reels, managed by 
a force of one Engineer, with assistants, superintendent of the fire 
alarm telegraph, and one hundred and forty-three officers and men, 
and twelve horses. The engineers, superintendent, drivers, and tiller- 
man of the hook and ladder are paid by the city; the others are 
vokinteers, and are relieved from jury duty. The city plan of streets 
and lanes enables the firemen to attack a burning building In front 
and rear, and to deluge it with the Savannah river in a few moments, 
speedily checking the spread of the flames, and diminishing fire risks. 
The e is not a mure efficient fire department in the United States. 

Statistics of Commerce. 

An estimate of the commercial importance of Savannah can be 
formed from the following statistics, obtained from official sources, 
and which are becoming larger with every year. As we have c'aimed 
at the beginning of this little volume, Savannah is, and will be in 
the future, the most important seaport on the Atlantic coast South of 
the capes of the Chesapeake, and, without a rival, the most important 
shipping point between them and the city of JN'ew Orleans. When 
capital shall have built a railroad to Tybee, to the lower harbor, and 
ano'.her through Southern Georgia to Lumber city, and to Smithville, 
opening the large extent of country lying between the Central Railroad 
and the Albany and Brunswick Railroad, connecting with Montgomery, 
Alabama, and with the projected line of rails from it through Selma> 
Meridian, Jackson, to Vicksburg, on the Mississippi river, the net- 
work of Savannah's railway system will have been completed, and 



Guide to Savannah. 73 

the United States from St. Louis southward, have an additional port 
of direct trade and travel with Europe and the rest of the world 
without necessity for intermediate bonding and reshipment In these 
enterprises the whole country is interested, especially the people south 
of the 36° 30^ parallel of latitude. 

Cotton. 
Receipts from September i, 1879, to September I, 1880— Bales. 

Uplands 73^P9^ 

Sea Islands 11,684 

Total 749>775 

Exports for same period — Bales. 

Foreign — Uplands 423,396 

Sea Islands 79^ 

Coastwise — Uplands 303,912 

Sea Islands 10,480 

Total 738'584 

On hand for year's account of export — Bales. 

Uplands 10,783 

Sea Islands 408 

Total 11,191 

Rice. • 

Casks. 

Receipts for same time 3^>974 

Exports coastwise 26,417 

Sent into the interior 9j059 

City consumption, etc 3.278 

38,754 

On hand to next year's account 220 

Naval Stores, 

Barrels. 

Rosin — Receipts 231,420 

Exports — Foreign 65.321 

Coastwise 150,401 

215,722 

On hand to next year's account 155^98 



74 Guide to Savannah. 

Barrels. 

Spirits turpentine — Receipts 46,321 

Exports — Foreign 9^1^o 

Coastwise 35)676 

45439 

On hand to next year's account 882 

Lumber. 

Feet. 
Exports — Foreign • . . 12,000,421 

Coa^^tvvise 44,373,171 

Total 56,373.592 

Timber — Squared. 

Feet. 
Exports — Foreign 2,719,402 

Coastwise 3.152,937 

Total 5.^72,339 

Vegetables and Fruits. 
Exports, in boxes and barrels, coastwise 157,009 packages. 

These are the prominent exports, increasing with the receipts ev-^ry 
year, and to which will be soon added the corn, wheat, oats, and 
other produce of the Great West, so soon as proper arrangements for 
elevating, warehousing and shipping shall be completed. 

The Canal. 
The Savannah and Ogeechee Canal Company was organized as the 
Savannah, Ogeechee and Altamaha about forty-five years ago, 
and extends froin the Savannah river to the Ogeechee river; ^246,693 
M'ere expended, when the enterprise fell through for want of energy 
and proper management. In January, 1846, the present company 
purchased the concern, and put the canal in thorough repair. Lumbc", 
timber and rice come through it for market and shipment at Savannah, 
and the enterprise is daily increasing in importance and value. 

Volunteer Force and Armories. 

Savannah has always been noted for its martial spirit, and well- 
drilled and uniformed companies. In the early days of the Republic 



Guide to Savannah. 75 

these military elements were cultivated as a national duty, and as a 
wise precaution in anticipation of revolts by the slaves; but as the 
relations between the races became modified by time and the pro- 
gressive influences of civilization and Christianity, what had been a 
necessity gradually ceased, leaving only the national obligations to 
encourage warlike taste and exercises. These were stimulated by 
company rivalry to a high degree of excellence, and it can be said, 
without boasting, that the volunteer troops of Savannah are in the 
front rank of a well-drilled and disciplined militia. 

To the white volunteers are now added a remarkably fine body of 
colored troops that do credit to themselves and to the city. Their 
uniforms are handsome, and their exercises and movements are of 
excellent attainment. 

We question if there be a city in the Union that can show a finer, 
better drilled, and more hospitable corps of volunteers, white and 
colored, than Savannah. Their armories, neat, commodious, and 
appropriately furnished, extend a soldier's welcome at all times to 
brother "chips" and to strangers. 



Savannah, Florida and Western Railway. 

This road is the great highway connecting Savannah with Fforida, 
Southern and Southwestern Georgi i,and Eastern Alabama. It extends 
to Bainbridge, on the Flint river, a distance of two hundred and 
thirty- seven miles. It connects at Albany by a branch road (fifty- 
eight miles in length) with the Central and Southwestern system of 
railroads, and at Live Oak with the Jacksonville, Pensacola and 
Mobile for Middle Florida. Its most important branch line is the 
new Way Cross Short Line, recently completed to Jacksonville, 
Florida, distant one hundred and seventy-two miles from Savannah. 
At Callahan, one hundred and fifty miles from Savannah, it connects 
with the Floiida Transit and Peninsular Railroads for Southern 
Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. At Jacksonville, connection is made 
with that great artery of Florida commerce, the St. John's river, for 
all points reached by that magnificent stream. 

This road is successor to the Savannah, Albany and Gulf and 
Aj;lantic and Gulf Railroads. It is enabled — by the purchase of the 
franchises and privileges of those companies, which were compelled 



7& Guide to vSavannah. 

to sucoiin;!* to tulverse fortunes — to more than realize all the anticipa- 
tions whicli .suggested the original enterprise, and to secure to 
Savann-ih all the advantnges which prompted its citizens to first lend 
their aid to tlie scheme of its construction. 

The depot gounds of this road are in the southeastern portion of 
the city, fronting on Liberty and East Broad streets, and contain over 
eighty acres of land, well situated for the purpose, and affording 
Jimple room for the future requirements of the company. It is 
intended, at an early date, to erect a handsome and commodious 
passenger depot on these grounds, which will prove an ornament to 
that part of the city and afford the accommodation the largely 
increasing business of the company requires. 

Tlie wharves of ihis company stretch along tlie lower river front to 
the distance of nearly a mile. Built upon the foundation of a former 
rice plantation, there has grown into existence a magnificent property, 
capable of answering the increasing demands of commerce for many 
years to come. Here, for the year ending December 31, 1881, 
3 1, coo, coo feet of lumber and 146,000 barrels of naval stores were 
received, and 13,663 tons of commercial fertilizer were handled- 
The earth for filling in has been brought — in amount aggregating 
250,000 cubic yards — from Bruton Hill, immediately in the rear, 
while the four quarters of the liabitable globe have also contributed 
their quota in the discha'ge of ballasi by foreign shipping. In this 
matter, a wise forethought has kept the lead of the demands of 
business, and abundant facilities can yet be afforded as the exigencies 
of a prosperous trade will demand. 

The equipment of the new company — consisting of powerful 
engines and hundreds of freight cars, together with its perfect road- 
way and elegant passenger coaches — is fully adequate to the necessi- 
ties of its business, while, by construction and by purchase, it is con- 
tinually adding to its stock, always in appliances of the latest and 
most improved character. 



CONCLUSION. 

In addition to these pulilic places noted, there are many private 
attractions in and about Savannah, such as gardens, nurseries for 
flowers, plants, and fruits, etc., all of which will be found in the City 



GuiJ)!-: TO Savannah. 77 

Directory, and to which we call tlie attention of strangers. Al.o, 
some small industries, possessing no great interest in themselves, ar. 
yet, from size or fine machinery, but indicative of the spirit of indus- 
try born of emancipation from slavery, and which will in a few ycai"S 
make Savannah important in her manufactures and mechanical indus- 
trial productions. 

And now, stranger, we bid you farewell, with the hope that we 
have contributed to the pleasure of your visit to Savannah, and 
induced you to protract it beyond your first intentions. 

FINIS. 



The Mlornmq Mews Eihritrtt 



■ • o » 



We are now publishing the original serials, by Southern authors, 
which have appeared in "the Savannah Weekly News, in a hand- 
some quarto form (stereotyped), printed in excellent style and on 
good paper. 

Tills IS the first effort of the kind ever made by a Southern pub- 
lisher to supply an increasing demand for home literature in a cheap 
but substantial form. 

The following is a list of Libraries already issued ; others will 
appear from time to time : 

No. 1. 
SOMBRE MONDE. By Miss MARY EOSE FLOYD, of Florida. 

Price 20 ceijts. 

No. 'Z. 
MUFFIT. By Mrs. OPHELIA NTSBET REID, of Georgia. 

Price 20 cents. 

No. 3. 
THROUGH THE YEARS. By Miss R. J. PHILBRICK, of Georgia. 

Price 20 cents. 

No. 4. 
REVIRESCO. By Miss M. E. HEATH, of Virginia. 

Price 20 cents. 

No. 5. 
THE HEATHERCOTES. By i'iss MAT CRIM, of Georgia. 

Price 20 cents. 

No. 6. 
HEKZCHEN. By Mrs. NORA LTPMAN HUSSEY of Georgia. 

' Price 2 J cents. 

ISo. 7. 
VASCOE; Or, Until Death. By ^irs. B. M. ZIMMEKMANN, of Florida. 

Pi ice 20 cents. 

No. 8. 
ONL.Y NORA HEART LEY. By Mrs. OPHELIA NISBET REID, of Georgia. 

nice 20 cents. 

No. 9. 

THE IMAGE OF HER MOTHER. By Mrs. MARY AUGUSTA WADE, 

of Gejrgia 

Price 20 cents. 

No. 10, iio^v in Press. 
ELIJAH H'^THURST'S EXPIATION ; Or, The End of a Dream Life. 
By Miss FAJSNIE MAY WiTT, of Georgia. 

Price 20 cents. 

A NEW NOVEL IS ISSUED EVERY SIX WEEKS. 

Any of the above sent by mail, postage free, on receipt of price. 

SAVANNAH, GA. 



IN THIS PROGRESSIVE AGE, 

E-very person should take a good Ne^ospaper. 

If he lives in Georgia, Florida or South CarolLja, or is iu any way Interested 
in these States, he should take the 

SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS 

as a business investment. If he is a farmer, or mei'chant, or a buyer or seller 
in any degree, it will pay liim a Imndrecl fold tiie price of h s subscrip- 
tion, because it will ktep him posted in the market qnotations from 11 
pats of the world. He will not be dependent on his neighbor for that 
knowledge which is m ney in liis pocket. He will also know M'liat is 
going on in the busy W(-rld i^round him, and his family as well as himself wi.l 
be more intelligent by reading the paper. If he has a daily mail ho 
should by all means take the 

DAILY IVaORMINC NEWS, 

which will cost him $10 a year, postage free. If he cannot get the Daily 
regulaily he should take the 

MAMMOTH 

SAVANNAH IVEEKLY NEi;ys 

Containing 8 pages of reading matter, comprising all he news of the 
week, Telegraphic Dispatches, up to the himr of going to press, State 
News, Agricultural Items, Original Serials, etc. Only $2 a year, po-.t- 
age free. If, in addition to the e newspapeis, you want a good magazine, 
we offer the 

SOUTHERN FARMER'S MONTHLY, 

An Illustrated Journal, containing Original and Selected Agricu tural \Tatter» 
suitab'e for the Farm and Fireside, with an Illustrat'd Fashion De- 
partment f'»r the Ladies. Brice $2 a year, postage free. Single nuu^ber 
'iO cents. 
Weekly News and Southern Farnier's Monthly one year p 50. 

SUNDAY MORNING TELEGRAM 

is a lively paper containing the latest telegrams. Is issued every Sunday 
moiaing. trice $2 a year, postage free. 



J. H. ESTILL, Savannah, Ga. 



/ 



vi^w wr^wwirw^ w^mr 








^tenni^nntmq ^ome. 



3 Wliitaker street, "' ||||l:f gATAIMM. 



The most complete establishment of the kuid in the Southeast, 
combining 

PRINTING, 

BOOK BINDING, 

LITHOGRAPHING, 

STEREOTYPING. 



Mej'cantile, Railroad, S' earner, Show, J\^eiuspaper, 
Book, and all descriptions of Printing. 



ACCOUNT BOOKS, CHECK BOOKS, and all 
other kinds of Blank Books made to order. 



litliograpM© EmgraYiiiig amd FrlBtiiig 

IN THE BEST STYLE OF THE ART. 

All orders from home or abroad will receive prompt and care- 
ful aUention. 



J. H. ESTILL, Proprietor. 



